☣️ UN 2214 • CLASS 8
UN 2214 — Phthalic anhydride
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 156. 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 2214 Quick Details
UN 2214
Product name: Phthalic anhydride
DOT Class: 8
Placard type: Corrosive
ERG Guide: 156 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation
Common Hazards of UN 2214
- 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 | 1,3-Isobenzofurandione1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic anhydridePhthalic acid anhydridePANRetarder AKRetarder ESEN |
| CAS Number | 85-44-9 |
| Appearance | White to pale cream-colored crystalline solid or powder with a characteristic acrid, choking odor. Exists as needle-like crystals at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | 152C (305F) (closed cup) |
| Boiling Point | 295C (563F) with sublimation beginning around 284C |
| Vapor Density | 5.1 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water to form phthalic acid, generating heat; reaction accelerates at elevated temperatures and may produce corrosive runoff |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2214
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam; water may react but can be used for cooling
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in confined spaces or when heated; chemical-resistant suit and gloves for spill cleanup; avoid inhalation of dust and vapors
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 156).
First Actions for a UN 2214 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 2214 — Phthalic anhydrideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2214
Product: Phthalic anhydride
Class 8 / Corrosive / ERG 156
PPE: Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in confined spaces or when heated; chemical-resistant suit and gloves for spill cleanup; avoid inhalation of dust and vapors
ISOLATION: ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider 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 2214 — Phthalic anhydride
Class: 8 | Placard: Corrosive | ERG Guide: 156
Appearance: White to pale cream-colored crystalline solid or powder with a characteristic acrid, choking odor. Exists as needle-like crystals at room temperature.
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water to form phthalic acid, generating heat; reaction accelerates at elevated temperatures and may produce corrosive runoff
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam; water may react but can be used for cooling
PPE: Level B minimum recommended; SCBA required in confined spaces or when heated; chemical-resistant suit and gloves for spill cleanup; avoid inhalation of dust and vapors
Isolation: ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation
— 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/2214 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2214 Phthalic anhydride Cls8 ERG156 | ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar inv | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2214SMS / 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/2214
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2214
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 recommended; SCBA required in confined spaces or when heated; chemical-resistant suit and gloves for spill cleanup; avoid inhalation of dust and vapors
Water reactivity: Reacts slowly with water to form phthalic acid, generating heat; reaction accelerates at elevated temperatures and may produce corrosive runoff. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or alcohol-resistant foam; water may react but can be used for cooling.
ERG Guide 156 recommendation: ERG 156: isolate spill area immediate 25m in all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire, isolate 800m in all directions and consider evacuation
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.