☣️ UN 1851 • CLASS 6
UN 1851 — Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s.
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 1851 Quick Details
UN 1851
Product name: Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 151 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 50m (150 ft) in all directions; protective action distance up to 300m (1000 ft) downwind for small spills, 800m (0.5 miles) for large spills during daytime
Common Hazards of UN 1851
- 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 | Poisonous medicinal liquidToxic pharmaceutical solutionMedicinal preparation, liquid, toxicPharmaceutical liquid, poisonous |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific formulation; typically clear to colored liquid with characteristic medicinal or solvent odor. Physical properties vary widely based on active ingredient and formulation. |
| Flash Point | Variable - depends on formulation and solvent base; many pharmaceutical liquids contain flammable solvents with flash points ranging from <0°C to >60°C |
| Boiling Point | Variable - depends on formulation; typically ranges from 50°C to 150°C (122°F to 302°F) based on solvent system |
| Vapor Density | Variable - typically 2-4 (heavier than air) for alcohol-based formulations; depends on solvent composition |
| Water Reactivity | Generally no significant reaction with water; however, dilution does not reduce toxicity and may facilitate absorption |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1851
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF) for flammable formulations, CO2, dry chemical; water spray for cooling only
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B minimum with full-face SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, double gloves (nitrile over butyl); avoid all skin contact due to high dermal toxicity
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 151: Initial isolation 50m (150 ft) in all directions; protective action distance up to 300m (1000 ft) downwind for small spills, 800m (0.5 miles) for large spills during daytime
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 151).
First Actions for a UN 1851 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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UN 1851 — Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1851
Product: Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level A or B minimum with full-face SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, double gloves (nitrile over butyl); avoid all skin contact due to high dermal toxicity
ISOLATION: ERG 151: Initial isolation 50m (150 ft) in all directions; protective action distance up to 300m (1000 ft) downwind for small spills, 800m (0.5 miles) for large spills during daytime
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 1851 — Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific formulation; typically clear to colored liquid with characteristic medicinal or solvent odor. Physical properties vary widely based on active ingredient and formulation.
Water Reactivity: Generally no significant reaction with water; however, dilution does not reduce toxicity and may facilitate absorption
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF) for flammable formulations, CO2, dry chemical; water spray for cooling only
PPE: Level A or B minimum with full-face SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, double gloves (nitrile over butyl); avoid all skin contact due to high dermal toxicity
Isolation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 50m (150 ft) in all directions; protective action distance up to 300m (1000 ft) downwind for small spills, 800m (0.5 miles) for large spills during daytime
— 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/1851 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1851 Medicine, liquid, poisonous, n.o.s. Cls6 ERG151 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1851SMS / 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/1851
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1851
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 with full-face SCBA required; chemical-resistant suit, double gloves (nitrile over butyl); avoid all skin contact due to high dermal toxicity
Water reactivity: Generally no significant reaction with water; however, dilution does not reduce toxicity and may facilitate absorption. Recommended extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam (AR-AFFF) for flammable formulations, CO2, dry chemical; water spray for cooling only.
ERG Guide 151 recommendation: ERG 151: Initial isolation 50m (150 ft) in all directions; protective action distance up to 300m (1000 ft) downwind for small spills, 800m (0.5 miles) for large spills during daytime
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.