UN 2931 — Vanadyl sulphate
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 151. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Vanadyl sulphate is a toxic vanadium compound assigned to ERG 151. Responders should treat dusts and solutions as harmful and prevent runoff from reaching drains or waterways.
Hazard overview: The key hazards are toxic exposure from dust, ingestion or contaminated solutions, plus toxic fumes if the material is heated. It is not a flammable liquid hazard, but fire conditions can spread contaminated runoff.
Response guidance: Isolate the spill, avoid dust generation and keep personnel upwind. Use compatible extinguishing agents for surrounding fire, wear SCBA in smoke and collect contaminated absorbent or runoff for proper disposal.
Firefighter training notes: Train crews to recognize toxic metal salt incidents, control dust, contain runoff and avoid unnecessary dry sweeping. Decontamination and waste handling should be coordinated with hazmat and environmental personnel.
Regulatory context: UN 2931 is transported as a toxic hazardous material. Product concentration, hydrate form and waste classification should be confirmed from the SDS and shipping papers.
Storage & handling: Store in closed, labeled containers in a dry, ventilated area. Keep away from food, drains, incompatible reducing agents and materials that may spread toxic dust.
UN 2931 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2931
- Vanadyl sulphate is toxic; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact may cause serious injury.
- Dust or solution contact can irritate or burn skin and eyes depending on concentration.
- Fire may produce toxic metal oxide and sulfur oxide fumes.
- Runoff from fire control or spill cleanup may contaminate waterways.
- The material itself is not readily flammable, but containers may fail when heated.
- Solutions may be acidic and corrosive to some metals.
- Avoid generating dust during handling or cleanup.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Vanadyl sulphate is typically a blue crystalline solid or powder and may be present as hydrate or solution. It can dissolve in water to form acidic, toxic solutions.
| Also known as | Vanadium oxysulfateVanadyl sulfateVanadium oxide sulfateVOSO4 |
| CAS Number | 27774-13-6 |
| Appearance | Blue to green crystalline solid or powder. Odorless. Hygroscopic in nature and absorbs moisture from air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic solid) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes before boiling |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Soluble in water, forming acidic solution. No violent reaction but solution is corrosive. |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2931
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use gloves, eye protection and chemical-resistant clothing for contact hazards. SCBA is needed for fire, dust cloud or poorly ventilated release conditions.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2931 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 low areas where vapors may collect.
- Avoid breathing vapors, dust, mist, smoke or fire gases.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper PPE.
- Ventilate confined spaces only if trained, equipped and authorized.
- Use ERG, SDS, shipping papers, labels and monitoring results for final tactical decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2931 — Vanadyl sulphateUse 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.