☣️ UN 3488 • CLASS 6
UN 3488 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 131. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ Verification required:
Broad or variable material category; verify exact product, SDS and shipping papers.
⚠️ 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.
UN 3488 covers poisonous-by-inhalation liquid, n.o.s. in Inhalation Hazard Zone A, with additional flammable corrosive hazards.
Hazard overview: The primary risk is severe inhalation toxicity. The liquid may also be flammable and corrosive, and vapors can collect in low or confined areas.
Response guidance: Isolate immediately, eliminate ignition sources, stay upwind, prevent runoff, and use foam, dry chemical, or CO2 as appropriate for the exact product.
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UN 3488 Quick Details
UN 3488
Product name: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 131 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill/leak 100m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions, consider initial evacuation 800m all directions
Common Hazards of UN 3488
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
- Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 3488 has a variable appearance and typically a liquid consistency at room temperature, with a potentially irritating or pungent odor.
| Also known as | Toxic inhalation hazard liquidFlammable corrosive poisonPIH liquid Zone ATIH liquid flammable corrosive |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on specific chemical; typically a liquid at room temperature with potentially irritating or pungent odor. Flammable, corrosive, and highly toxic by inhalation (Zone A indicates highest inhalation toxicity). |
| Flash Point | Below 23C (73F) - flammable liquid |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on specific substance |
| Vapor Density | Typically heavier than air (vapors accumulate in low areas) |
| Water Reactivity | May react with water producing corrosive and/or toxic fumes; use caution |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3488
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam preferred; dry chemical; CO2; avoid water streams due to corrosivity
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required; fully encapsulated chemical protective suit with SCBA; extreme inhalation hazard Zone A
Level A with fully encapsulating suit and SCBA is recommended because of the inhalation hazard.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 131: isolate spill/leak 100m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions, consider initial evacuation 800m all directions
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 131).
First Actions for a UN 3488 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- 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 for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials, increase the downwind precautionary distance as conditions require.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3488 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammablHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3488
Product: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 131
PPE: Level A required; fully encapsulated chemical protective suit with SCBA; extreme inhalation hazard Zone A
ISOLATION: ERG 131: isolate spill/leak 100m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions, consider initial evacuation 800m 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 3488 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A)
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 131
Appearance: Variable appearance depending on specific chemical; typically a liquid at room temperature with potentially irritating or pungent odor. Flammable, corrosive, and highly toxic by inhalation (Zone A indicates highest inhalation toxicity).
Water Reactivity: May react with water producing corrosive and/or toxic fumes; use caution
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam preferred; dry chemical; CO2; avoid water streams due to corrosivity
PPE: Level A required; fully encapsulated chemical protective suit with SCBA; extreme inhalation hazard Zone A
Isolation: ERG 131: isolate spill/leak 100m all directions; if tank/rail car involved in fire isolate 800m all directions, consider initial evacuation 800m all directions
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
• Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
• 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/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3488 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3488 Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone A) Cls6 ERG131 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3488SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3488
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3488
Yes. It has flammable liquid hazards in addition to inhalation toxicity.
Water reactivity depends on the specific product; avoid direct contact until shipping papers or SDS identify the material.
Level A with fully encapsulating suit and SCBA is recommended because of the inhalation hazard.
Treat as an extreme inhalation hazard, isolate the area, stay upwind, and evacuate downwind as directed by ERG and incident command.
UN 3488 is assigned to ERG Guide 131 for initial emergency response guidance.
Inhalation Hazard Zone A indicates a severe toxic inhalation risk; Zone A is more severe than Zone B.
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.