UN 2495 — Iodine pentafluoride
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 144. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2495 is Iodine pentafluoride, a strong oxidizing corrosive fuming liquid assigned to ERG Guide 144. Water reaction can release HF and heat.
Hazard overview: STRONG OXIDIZER and CORROSIVE fuming liquid; can ignite combustibles and severely burn tissue. Reacts violently with water or moisture, releasing heat and toxic/corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodine oxyacid products. Vapors/fumes are much heavier than air and highly irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Response guidance: For UN 2495, isolate the spill, stay upwind and use SCBA with chemical protection. Control moisture contact, contain acidic/toxic runoff and use dry compatible agents under SDS and ERG 144 guidance.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2495 should emphasize water-reactive corrosive fuming, dry-agent selection, SCBA/Level A decisions, decontamination and acidic/toxic runoff control. Use ERG 144, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Iodine pentafluoride is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, exposure, spill reporting, waste and fire-code duties depend on quantity, concentration and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS and local authority requirements.
Storage & handling: Iodine pentafluoride should be stored dry in tightly closed compatible containers away from water, moisture, bases, oxidizers/reducing agents where incompatible, heat and unauthorized access. Provide secondary containment.
UN 2495 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2495
- STRONG OXIDIZER and CORROSIVE fuming liquid; can ignite combustibles and severely burn tissue.
- Reacts violently with water or moisture, releasing heat and toxic/corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodine oxyacid products.
- Vapors/fumes are much heavier than air and highly irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
- Contact with metals or combustibles may create fire, toxic gas or pressure hazards.
- Fire or heating may produce fluorides, iodine compounds and corrosive fumes.
- Runoff may be strongly acidic, fluoride-contaminated and toxic.
- Containers may rupture or explode when heated or contaminated with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Fumes strongly in moist air forming corrosive hydrogen fluoride.
| Also known as | Iodine(V) fluoridePentafluoroiodineIF5 |
| CAS Number | 7783-66-6 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Fumes strongly in moist air forming corrosive hydrogen fluoride. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (strong oxidizer, non-flammable but ignites combustibles) |
| Boiling Point | 100.5C (213F) |
| Vapor Density | 7.8 (much heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently and exothermically with water producing toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodic acid vapors |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2495
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA and fully encapsulating chemical protective clothing for close entry or unknown concentrations. Protect against severe toxic/corrosive vapor and splash exposure.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2495 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and establish incident command.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapor, dust, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Keep water contact controlled because moisture can increase heat release, corrosive fuming or toxic gas formation.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 144, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2495 — Iodine pentafluorideUse 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.