☣️ UN 1656 • CLASS 6
UN 1656 — Nicotine hydrochloride, solution
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 151. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
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⚠️ This page is a quick-reference aid. For real incidents: stage upwind, isolate, deny entry, request Hazmat early, and consult the current ERG + SOP/SOG.
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UN 1656 Quick Details
UN 1656
Product name: Nicotine hydrochloride, solution
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 151 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 151: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50m in all directions; if tank/rail/tank car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Common Hazards of UN 1656
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may pollute waterways.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Nicotine hydrochlorideNicotine HCl3-(1-Methylpyrrolidin-2-yl)pyridine hydrochlorideNicotinium chloride |
| CAS Number | 2820-51-1 |
| Appearance | Clear to pale yellow or amber liquid solution with characteristic tobacco-like odor. The pure salt is a white crystalline solid, but typically shipped as an aqueous solution. |
| Flash Point | Depends on solution concentration and solvent; aqueous solutions may be non-flammable, but organic solvent solutions may have flash points below 23C (73F) |
| Boiling Point | Aqueous solutions boil near 100C (212F); pure nicotine base boils at 247C (477F) |
| Vapor Density | Approximately 5.6 for nicotine vapor (heavier than air); solution vapor density depends on concentration |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; nicotine hydrochloride is water-soluble and commonly prepared as aqueous solution |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1656
Extinguishing Media
Water spray, dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam if needed; water fog for cooling
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit essential; any skin contact can be fatal due to rapid dermal absorption
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 151: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50m in all directions; if tank/rail/tank car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 151).
First Actions for a UN 1656 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1656 — Nicotine hydrochloride, solutionHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1656
Product: Nicotine hydrochloride, solution
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level A or B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit essential; any skin contact can be fatal due to rapid dermal absorption
ISOLATION: ERG 151: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50m in all directions; if tank/rail/tank car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
ACTION: Stage upwind · Isolate · Deny entry · Request HazmatRADIO
Use for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
=== IC HAZMAT BRIEFING ===
UN 1656 — Nicotine hydrochloride, solution
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Clear to pale yellow or amber liquid solution with characteristic tobacco-like odor. The pure salt is a white crystalline solid, but typically shipped as an aqueous solution.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction; nicotine hydrochloride is water-soluble and commonly prepared as aqueous solution
Extinguishing: Water spray, dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam if needed; water fog for cooling
PPE: Level A or B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit essential; any skin contact can be fatal due to rapid dermal absorption
Isolation: ERG 151: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50m in all directions; if tank/rail/tank car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
— Key Hazards —
• Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Avoid any skin contact.
• Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1656 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1656 Nicotine hydrochloride, solution Cls6 ERG151 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1656SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS. Includes link to full page.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1656
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1656
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper Keep unauthorized personnel away. Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
Level A or B minimum; SCBA required; full chemical-resistant suit essential; any skin contact can be fatal due to rapid dermal absorption
Water reactivity: No significant reaction; nicotine hydrochloride is water-soluble and commonly prepared as aqueous solution. Recommended extinguishing: Water spray, dry chemical, CO2, alcohol-resistant foam if needed; water fog for cooling.
ERG Guide 151 recommendation: ERG 151: isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25-50m in all directions; if tank/rail/tank car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 151 and your department SOP/SOG for incident-specific protective actions.
Sources (high level): DOT/PHMSA marking & class concepts + ERG usage principles.
This page does not reproduce ERG guide text—always consult the current ERG for incident-specific protective actions.