☣️ UN 1938 • CLASS 8
UN 1938 — Bromoacetic acid, solution
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 156. 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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UN 1938 Quick Details
UN 1938
Product name: Bromoacetic acid, solution
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 156 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill/leak area immediately 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate
Common Hazards of UN 1938
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
- Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas
- Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back.
- Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.
- Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water.
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Monobromoacetic acidBBAAlpha-bromoacetic acid2-Bromoacetic acidBromoethanoic acid |
| CAS Number | 79-08-3 |
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow crystalline solid or solution with a pungent, acrid odor. Highly corrosive and deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air). |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (solid); solution flash point varies with concentration and solvent |
| Boiling Point | 208C (406F) - decomposes |
| Vapor Density | 4.8 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water releasing heat and forming corrosive hydrobromic acid; more vigorous reaction at elevated temperatures |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1938
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand; water spray for cooling only from safe distance; avoid direct water contact with concentrated material
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum (supplied-air respirator, chemical-resistant suit); Level A if concentration unknown or high vapor risk; SCBA required; neoprene or butyl rubber gloves
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 156: isolate spill/leak area immediately 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 156).
First Actions for a UN 1938 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.
- 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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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1938 — Bromoacetic acid, solutionHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 1938
Product: Bromoacetic acid, solution
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 156
PPE: Level B minimum (supplied-air respirator, chemical-resistant suit); Level A if concentration unknown or high vapor risk; SCBA required; neoprene or butyl rubber gloves
ISOLATION: ERG 156: isolate spill/leak area immediately 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate
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 1938 — Bromoacetic acid, solution
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 156
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow crystalline solid or solution with a pungent, acrid odor. Highly corrosive and deliquescent (absorbs moisture from air).
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water releasing heat and forming corrosive hydrobromic acid; more vigorous reaction at elevated temperatures
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand; water spray for cooling only from safe distance; avoid direct water contact with concentrated material
PPE: Level B minimum (supplied-air respirator, chemical-resistant suit); Level A if concentration unknown or high vapor risk; SCBA required; neoprene or butyl rubber gloves
Isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill/leak area immediately 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate
— Key Hazards —
• Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
• Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff.
• When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
— 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/1938 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN1938 Bromoacetic acid, solution Cls8 ERG156 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/1938SMS / 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/1938
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 1938
Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily. Substance will react with water (some violently) releasing flammable, toxic or corrosive gases and runoff. When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along the ground and collect in low or confined areas Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Corrosives in contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas. Containers may explode when heated or if contaminated with water. TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or contact (skin, eyes) with vapors, dusts or substance
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 B minimum (supplied-air respirator, chemical-resistant suit); Level A if concentration unknown or high vapor risk; SCBA required; neoprene or butyl rubber gloves
Water reactivity: Reacts slowly with water releasing heat and forming corrosive hydrobromic acid; more vigorous reaction at elevated temperatures. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or dry sand; water spray for cooling only from safe distance; avoid direct water contact with concentrated material.
ERG Guide 156 recommendation: ERG 156: isolate spill/leak area immediately 50m in all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and evacuate
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 156 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.