☣️ UN 1680 • CLASS 6
Potassium cyanide, solid
Placard: Toxic. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ 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.
Advertisement
Quick details
UN 1680
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 157 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protective action distance: small spill 0.5km downwind daytime, 1.1km nighttime. Large spill 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | KCNCyanide of potassiumPotassium salt of hydrocyanic acidCyanopotassium |
| CAS Number | 151-50-8 |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid or granular powder with a faint almond-like odor. Odorless when perfectly dry. Deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air). |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid, but releases HCN gas upon contact with moisture/acids) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water and moisture to slowly release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas. Reaction accelerated by acids and heat. |
| Extinguishing | Do not use water or foam. Use dry chemical, soda ash, lime, or sand. Avoid water contact which generates toxic HCN gas. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A or B required. SCBA mandatory. Full chemical-resistant suit. Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves. Cyanide is rapidly fatal through all exposure routes. |
| Isolation | ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protective action distance: small spill 0.5km downwind daytime, 1.1km nighttime. Large spill 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- 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.).
First actions (field-minded)
- 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
Advertisement
📋 Copy & Share
UN 1680 — Potassium cyanide, solid HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1680
Product: Potassium cyanide, solid
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A or B required. SCBA mandatory. Full chemical-resistant suit. Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves. Cyanide is rapidly fatal through all exposure routes.
ISOLATION: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protective action distance: small spill 0.5km downwind daytime, 1.1km nighttime. Large spill 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime.
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 1680 — Potassium cyanide, solid
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White crystalline solid or granular powder with a faint almond-like odor. Odorless when perfectly dry. Deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air).
Water Reactivity: Reacts with water and moisture to slowly release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas. Reaction accelerated by acids and heat.
Extinguishing: Do not use water or foam. Use dry chemical, soda ash, lime, or sand. Avoid water contact which generates toxic HCN gas.
PPE: Level A or B required. SCBA mandatory. Full chemical-resistant suit. Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves. Cyanide is rapidly fatal through all exposure routes.
Isolation: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m all directions. Protective action distance: small spill 0.5km downwind daytime, 1.1km nighttime. Large spill 1.3km daytime, 3.7km nighttime.
— 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/1680 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1680 Potassium cyanide, solid Cls6 ERG157 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1680SMS / 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/1680
Advertisement
FAQ
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 A or B required. SCBA mandatory. Full chemical-resistant suit. Nitrile or butyl rubber gloves. Cyanide is rapidly fatal through all exposure routes.
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.