UN 1832 — Sulphuric acid, spent
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 137. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1832 is Sulphuric acid, spent, a corrosive spent acid assigned to ERG Guide 137. Contaminants from industrial use can change toxicity, reactivity and runoff hazards.
Hazard overview: UN 1832 presents severe acid burns, heat-on-dilution, corrosive mist and acidic-runoff hazards. Contact with some metals may release flammable hydrogen gas.
Response guidance: For a UN 1832 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 137. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, prevent incompatible contact, control runoff and choose entry or fire-control actions based on monitoring, SDS and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1832 should emphasize strong acid burns, heat from dilution, fume control, incompatibility with organics/metals where relevant, runoff containment and decontamination. Use ERG 137, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Sulphuric acid, spent is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by concentration, formulation, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Sulphuric acid, spent should be stored in compatible acid-resistant containers with secondary containment, away from water, bases, organics, combustibles, reducing agents where incompatible, reactive metals and unauthorized access. Keep containers closed and protected from heat and contamination.
UN 1832 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1832
- CORROSIVE sulfuric acid material; skin, eye or respiratory contact may cause severe burns.
- Spent acid may contain organic material, metals or process contaminants that change toxicity and reactivity.
- Dilution with water can generate intense heat, boiling and spattering.
- Contact with some metals may release flammable hydrogen gas.
- Fire or heating may produce sulfur oxides and irritating/corrosive mist.
- Runoff may be strongly acidic, corrosive and environmentally harmful.
- Containers may rupture or fail when heated.
- Keep incompatible organics, bases and reactive metals away.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Dark brown to black oily liquid with a pungent, acrid odor. Contains sulfuric acid contaminated with organic matter, metals, or other impurities from industrial processes.
| Also known as | spent sulfuric acidwaste sulfuric acidused sulfuric acidcontaminated sulfuric acidspent battery acid |
| Appearance | Dark brown to black oily liquid with a pungent, acrid odor. Contains sulfuric acid contaminated with organic matter, metals, or other impurities from industrial processes. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable liquid) |
| Boiling Point | Approximately 290-338C (554-640F), varies with concentration and contamination |
| Vapor Density | Heavier than air, approximately 3.4 relative to air |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts with water generating significant heat; can cause violent boiling and spattering. Add acid to water slowly, never water to acid. |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1832
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for dust, vapor, mist, fire or confined-space exposure. Wear chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing selected from SDS for corrosive contact.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1832 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, dust, mist or spray and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or leak area and expand the perimeter if vapor, dust, fire involvement, water reaction or unknown concentration is present.
- Use ERG Guide 137, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1832 — Sulphuric acid, spentUse for: Quick radio or face-to-face size-up. Short, structured, field-ready.
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.