☣️ UN 2653 • CLASS 6
UN 2653 — Benzyl iodide
Placard: Toxic. 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 2653 Quick Details
UN 2653
Product name: Benzyl iodide
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 156 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions and consider evacuation 300m downwind. Fire: isolate 800m and evacuate 800m in all directions.
Common Hazards of UN 2653
- 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 | Benzyl iodidePhenylmethyl iodideAlpha-iodotulueneIodomethylbenzene(Iodomethyl)benzene |
| CAS Number | 620-05-3 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Darkens on exposure to light and air. Denser than water and insoluble in water. |
| Flash Point | Not readily combustible, estimated >93C (>200F) |
| Boiling Point | 93C (199F) at 24 mmHg, decomposes above 218C (424F) |
| Vapor Density | 7.7 (much heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts slowly with water releasing hydroiodic acid (HI), a corrosive and toxic gas. May accelerate at elevated temperatures. |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2653
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, or alcohol-resistant foam. Water spray for cooling only; avoid direct water contact.
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum with full facepiece SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit and gloves essential due to corrosive vapor generation and skin absorption hazard.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions and consider evacuation 300m downwind. Fire: isolate 800m and evacuate 800m in all directions.
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 156).
First Actions for a UN 2653 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 2653 — Benzyl iodideHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 2653
Product: Benzyl iodide
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 156
PPE: Level B minimum with full facepiece SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit and gloves essential due to corrosive vapor generation and skin absorption hazard.
ISOLATION: ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions and consider evacuation 300m downwind. Fire: isolate 800m and evacuate 800m in all directions.
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 2653 — Benzyl iodide
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 156
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Darkens on exposure to light and air. Denser than water and insoluble in water.
Water Reactivity: Reacts slowly with water releasing hydroiodic acid (HI), a corrosive and toxic gas. May accelerate at elevated temperatures.
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or alcohol-resistant foam. Water spray for cooling only; avoid direct water contact.
PPE: Level B minimum with full facepiece SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit and gloves essential due to corrosive vapor generation and skin absorption hazard.
Isolation: ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions and consider evacuation 300m downwind. Fire: isolate 800m and evacuate 800m in all directions.
— 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/2653 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN2653 Benzyl iodide Cls6 ERG156 | ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all di | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/2653SMS / 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/2653
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 2653
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 with full facepiece SCBA required. Chemical-resistant suit and gloves essential due to corrosive vapor generation and skin absorption hazard.
Water reactivity: Reacts slowly with water releasing hydroiodic acid (HI), a corrosive and toxic gas. May accelerate at elevated temperatures.. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, or alcohol-resistant foam. Water spray for cooling only; avoid direct water contact..
ERG Guide 156 recommendation: ERG 156: Small spill isolate 30m all directions; large spill isolate 100m all directions and consider evacuation 300m downwind. Fire: isolate 800m and evacuate 800m in all directions.
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.