☣️ UN 3549 • CLASS 6
Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Placard: Infectious Substance. 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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Quick details
UN 3549
Class: 6
Placard type: Infectious Substance
ERG: Guide 158 (check current ERG)
Isolation: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
Chemical & Response Details
| Also known as | Category A infectious waste affecting animalsRegulated medical waste UN3549Animal pathogen wasteVeterinary infectious wasteSolid biohazardous animal waste |
| Appearance | Solid medical waste materials contaminated with Category A infectious substances affecting animals only. May include tissues, specimens, cultures, or contaminated items in various physical forms and colors. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (non-flammable infectious waste) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid waste mixture) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water, but runoff may cause biological contamination |
| Extinguishing | Not applicable; infectious material requires specialized handling, not fire suppression |
| PPE | ⚠️ Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission |
| Isolation | ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Common hazards (high level)
- Inhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death.
- Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- Damaged packages containing solid CO2 as a refrigerant may produce water or frost from condensation
- Contact with solid CO2 may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite.
- Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily.
- Some may be transported in flammable liquids.
First actions (field-minded)
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Consult the shipping paper to identify the substance involved.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
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UN 3549 — Medical waste, category A, affecting ani HAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3549
Product: Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Class 6 / Infectious Substance / ERG 158
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
ISOLATION: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
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 3549 — Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid
Class: 6 | Placard: Infectious Substance | ERG Guide: 158
Appearance: Solid medical waste materials contaminated with Category A infectious substances affecting animals only. May include tissues, specimens, cultures, or contaminated items in various physical forms and colors.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction with water, but runoff may cause biological contamination
Extinguishing: Not applicable; infectious material requires specialized handling, not fire suppression
PPE: Level B minimum with SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
Isolation: ERG 158: Isolate spill or leak area immediately for at least 25 meters in all directions; do not touch damaged containers or spilled material; keep unauthorized personnel away
— Key Hazards —
• Inhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death.
• Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more
• Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
— 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.
• Consult the shipping paper to identify the substance involved.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3549 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief. Full chemical + response details.
UN3549 Medical waste, category A, affecting animals only, solid Cls6 ERG158 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/3549SMS / 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/3549
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FAQ
Inhalation or contact with substance may cause infection, disease or death. Category A Infectious Substances (UN2814, UN2900 or UN3549) are more hazardous, or are in a more Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination. Damaged packages containing solid CO2 as a refrigerant may produce water or frost from condensation Contact with solid CO2 may cause burns, severe injury and/or frostbite. Some of these materials may burn, but none ignite readily. Some may be transported in flammable liquids.
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 SCBA required; impermeable suits, double gloves, eye/face protection; prevent any contact with material to avoid infection or disease transmission
No. This is a training/quick-reference aid only. Always consult the current ERG Guide 158 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.