☣️ UN 1906 • CLASS 8
Acid, sludge
Placard: Corrosive. 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 1906
Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG: Guide 153 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate immediate area; large spill may require 150m+ isolation and 300m+ downwind evacuation
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Acid sludgeSpent sulfuric acidAlkylation sludgeRefinery acid sludge |
| Appearance | Dark brown to black viscous liquid or sludge with a pungent, acrid odor. Highly corrosive mixture of sulfuric acid and organic compounds from petroleum refining processes. |
| Flash Point | Varies by composition, typically not applicable due to high water content and corrosive nature |
| Boiling Point | Varies by composition, typically >150C (302F) with decomposition |
| Vapor Density | Heavier than air; vapors may travel to ignition sources |
| Water Reactivity | May generate heat when diluted with water; add acid to water slowly, never water to acid |
| Extinguishing | Do not use water directly; use soda ash or lime to neutralize; dry chemical or CO2 for surrounding fires |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level A or B required; full-face SCBA, acid-resistant suit, gloves, and boots mandatory; severe burn and inhalation hazard |
| Isolation | ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate immediate area; large spill may require 150m+ isolation and 300m+ downwind evacuation |
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 skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- 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
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
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 1906 — Acid, sludge HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1906
Product: Acid, sludge
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 153
PPE: Level A or B required; full-face SCBA, acid-resistant suit, gloves, and boots mandatory; severe burn and inhalation hazard
ISOLATION: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate immediate area; large spill may require 150m+ isolation and 300m+ downwind evacuation
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 1906 — Acid, sludge
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Dark brown to black viscous liquid or sludge with a pungent, acrid odor. Highly corrosive mixture of sulfuric acid and organic compounds from petroleum refining processes.
Water Reactivity: May generate heat when diluted with water; add acid to water slowly, never water to acid
Extinguishing: Do not use water directly; use soda ash or lime to neutralize; dry chemical or CO2 for surrounding fires
PPE: Level A or B required; full-face SCBA, acid-resistant suit, gloves, and boots mandatory; severe burn and inhalation hazard
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate immediate area; large spill may require 150m+ isolation and 300m+ downwind evacuation
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
— 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/1906 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1906 Acid, sludge Cls8 ERG153 | ERG 153: isolate spill 25-50m all directions; evacuate immediate area; large spi | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1906SMS / 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/1906
Advertisement
FAQ
TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears). Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes. 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 Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
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; full-face SCBA, acid-resistant suit, gloves, and boots mandatory; severe burn and inhalation hazard
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 153 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.