☣️ UN 1689 • CLASS 6
Sodium 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.
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Quick details
UN 1689
Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG: Guide 157 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Spill: day 300m downwind, night 600m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Avoid water runoff contamination.
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Cyanide of sodiumCyanogranHydrocyanic acid sodium saltSodium cyanide solution |
| CAS Number | 143-33-9 |
| Appearance | White granular or crystalline solid, sometimes with a faint almond-like odor. May appear as lumps or briquettes. Odorless when pure but often has characteristic bitter almond smell due to absorbed moisture. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes at 1496C/2725F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water and moisture to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN). Reaction generates heat and accelerates in acidic conditions. Keep dry. |
| Extinguishing | Dry chemical, sand, soda ash. DO NOT use water spray directly on material. Use water fog from distance to control surrounding fires only. |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A required for spill response. SCBA with full facepiece mandatory. Chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots. Cyanide antidote kit should be immediately available. |
| Isolation | ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Spill: day 300m downwind, night 600m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Avoid water runoff contamination. |
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
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UN 1689 — Sodium cyanide, solid HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1689
Product: Sodium cyanide, solid
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 157
PPE: Level A required for spill response. SCBA with full facepiece mandatory. Chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots. Cyanide antidote kit should be immediately available.
ISOLATION: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Spill: day 300m downwind, night 600m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Avoid water runoff contamination.
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 1689 — Sodium cyanide, solid
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 157
Appearance: White granular or crystalline solid, sometimes with a faint almond-like odor. May appear as lumps or briquettes. Odorless when pure but often has characteristic bitter almond smell due to absorbed moisture.
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water and moisture to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN). Reaction generates heat and accelerates in acidic conditions. Keep dry.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, sand, soda ash. DO NOT use water spray directly on material. Use water fog from distance to control surrounding fires only.
PPE: Level A required for spill response. SCBA with full facepiece mandatory. Chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots. Cyanide antidote kit should be immediately available.
Isolation: ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Spill: day 300m downwind, night 600m downwind. Fire: evacuate 800m radius. Avoid water runoff contamination.
— 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/1689 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1689 Sodium cyanide, solid Cls6 ERG157 | ERG 157: Initial isolation 100m in all directions. Spill: day 300m downwind, nig | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1689SMS / 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/1689
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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 required for spill response. SCBA with full facepiece mandatory. Chemical-resistant suit, gloves, and boots. Cyanide antidote kit should be immediately available.
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.