☣️ UN 3439 • CLASS 6
UN 3439 — Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 151. 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 3439 Quick Details
UN 3439
Product name: Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 151 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m; evacuate immediate area if fire; consider 800m evacuation downwind if material involved in fire
Common Hazards of UN 3439
- Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive
- Containers may explode when heated.
- Runoff may pollute waterways.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
| Also known as | Nitriles, solid, toxic, n.o.s.Solid nitrile compoundsPoisonous nitrile solidsToxic organic nitriles |
| Appearance | Solid materials varying in color from white to dark brown depending on specific nitrile compound. May be crystalline powder, granules, or solid mass at room temperature with varying odors from odorless to pungent. |
| Flash Point | Varies by specific nitrile compound, typically 60-150C (140-302F) for combustible solids |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid at room temperature, may decompose before melting) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material, though heated vapors heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Generally stable in water, but may hydrolyze slowly releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3439
Extinguishing Media
Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (from distance), alcohol-resistant foam for large fires
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A or B required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves, SCBA mandatory; avoid all skin contact due to high toxicity and dermal absorption hazard
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 151: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m; evacuate immediate area if fire; consider 800m evacuation downwind if material involved in fire
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 151).
First Actions for a UN 3439 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.
- 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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UN 3439 — Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3439
Product: Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 151
PPE: Level A or B required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves, SCBA mandatory; avoid all skin contact due to high toxicity and dermal absorption hazard
ISOLATION: ERG 151: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m; evacuate immediate area if fire; consider 800m evacuation downwind if material involved in fire
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 3439 — Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s.
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 151
Appearance: Solid materials varying in color from white to dark brown depending on specific nitrile compound. May be crystalline powder, granules, or solid mass at room temperature with varying odors from odorless to pungent.
Water Reactivity: Generally stable in water, but may hydrolyze slowly releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas
Extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (from distance), alcohol-resistant foam for large fires
PPE: Level A or B required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves, SCBA mandatory; avoid all skin contact due to high toxicity and dermal absorption hazard
Isolation: ERG 151: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m; evacuate immediate area if fire; consider 800m evacuation downwind if material involved in fire
— Key Hazards —
• Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Avoid any skin contact.
• Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
— 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.
• Isolate spill or leak area in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3439 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3439 Nitriles, solid, poisonous, n.o.s. Cls6 ERG151 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3439SMS / 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/3439
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3439
Highly toxic, may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. Avoid any skin contact. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental Non-combustible, substance itself does not burn but may decompose upon heating to produce corrosive Containers may explode when heated. Runoff may pollute waterways.
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 A or B required; full chemical-resistant suit, butyl rubber gloves, SCBA mandatory; avoid all skin contact due to high toxicity and dermal absorption hazard
Water reactivity: Generally stable in water, but may hydrolyze slowly releasing toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. Recommended extinguishing: Dry chemical, CO2, water spray (from distance), alcohol-resistant foam for large fires.
ERG Guide 151 recommendation: ERG 151: Isolate spill 25-50m all directions; for large spill isolate 100m; evacuate immediate area if fire; consider 800m evacuation downwind if material involved in fire
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 151 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.