☣️ UN 1679 • CLASS 6
UN 1679 — Potassium cuprocyanide
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 157. 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 1679 Quick Details
UN 1679
Product name: Potassium cuprocyanide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 157 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
Common Hazards of UN 1679
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
- Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
- Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
- Fire will 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
- UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above
- Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Copper potassium cyanideCuprous potassium cyanidePotassium copper(I) cyanidePotassium dicyanocuprate(I) |
| CAS Number | 13682-73-0 |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow crystalline solid or powder. Odorless when dry, may release faint cyanide odor when exposed to moisture or acids. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic salt) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Slowly hydrolyzes in water releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas; reaction accelerates with heat or acids |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1679
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray on bulk quantities
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA; full face respirator with cyanide/acid gas cartridge for small releases; chemical-resistant suit and gloves required
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 157).
First Actions for a UN 1679 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.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- 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 1679 — Potassium cuprocyanideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1679
Product: Potassium cuprocyanide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face respirator with cyanide/acid gas cartridge for small releases; chemical-resistant suit and gloves required
ISOLATION: ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
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 1679 — Potassium cuprocyanide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline solid or powder. Odorless when dry, may release faint cyanide odor when exposed to moisture or acids.
Water Reactivity: Slowly hydrolyzes in water releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas; reaction accelerates with heat or acids
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray on bulk quantities
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA; full face respirator with cyanide/acid gas cartridge for small releases; chemical-resistant suit and gloves required
Isolation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
• Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases.
• Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air.
— 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.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1679 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1679 Potassium cuprocyanide Cls6 ERG157 | ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire iso | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1679SMS / 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/1679
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1679
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance Reaction with water or moist air may release toxic, corrosive or flammable gases. Reaction with water may generate much heat that will increase the concentration of fumes in the air. Fire will 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 UN1802, UN2032, UN3084, UN3093, UN1796 (above 50%), UN1826 (above 50%), and UN2031 (above Vapors may accumulate in confined areas (basement, tanks, hopper/tank cars, etc.).
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 B minimum with SCBA; full face respirator with cyanide/acid gas cartridge for small releases; chemical-resistant suit and gloves required
Water reactivity: Slowly hydrolyzes in water releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas; reaction accelerates with heat or acids. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, soda ash, lime; avoid water spray on bulk quantities.
ERG Guide 157 recommendation: ERG 157: isolate spill 25m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider evacuation 1600m downwind
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 157 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.