UN 2900 — Infectious substance, affecting animals only
Placard: Infectious Substance. ERG Guide 158. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2900 is Infectious substance, affecting animals only, an infectious substance entry assigned to ERG Guide 158. Package integrity and biological contamination control are priorities.
Hazard overview: INFECTIOUS material affecting animals only; exposure may spread animal disease or contaminate equipment and surfaces. Human risk depends on the organism and packaging; verify shipping papers and public health/veterinary guidance. Damaged packaging can release liquid specimens, tissues, cultures or contaminated absorbent material.
Response guidance: For UN 2900, isolate the area, avoid skin contact and use SCBA where dust, vapor, aerosol or fire is present. Contain toxic runoff and verify controls with SDS and ERG 158.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2900 should emphasize biosafety, package integrity, aerosol avoidance, authorized cleanup, veterinary/public health notification and decontamination. Use ERG 158 and local biological SOP.
Regulatory context: Infectious substance, affecting animals only is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, reporting, exposure, waste and incident-notification duties depend on package type, quantity, formulation and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS or authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Infectious substance, affecting animals only should be stored in compliant biological packaging with leakproof containment, temperature control where required and restricted access. Follow veterinary/public health and transport requirements.
UN 2900 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2900
- INFECTIOUS material affecting animals only; exposure may spread animal disease or contaminate equipment and surfaces.
- Human risk depends on the organism and packaging; verify shipping papers and public health/veterinary guidance.
- Damaged packaging can release liquid specimens, tissues, cultures or contaminated absorbent material.
- Aerosol generation during cleanup can increase exposure risk.
- Dry ice or other refrigerant may create frostbite or oxygen-displacement hazards if present.
- Fire runoff may spread biological contamination.
- Maintain isolation until qualified biological/veterinary authority guidance is available.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Variable appearance depending on form (liquid cultures, tissue samples, blood, biological specimens). Typically shipped in sealed containers with absorbent material. May be refrigerated or frozen.
| Also known as | Category B infectious substanceBiological substance category BDiagnostic specimensAnimal pathogensVeterinary infectious material |
| Appearance | Variable appearance depending on form (liquid cultures, tissue samples, blood, biological specimens). Typically shipped in sealed containers with absorbent material. May be refrigerated or frozen. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (biological material) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (biological material) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (biological material) |
| Water Reactivity | No chemical reaction with water, but contamination risk if container integrity compromised |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2900
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use biological PPE appropriate to the specimen: gloves, eye/face protection, protective clothing and respiratory protection if aerosols may be generated.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2900 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 breathing vapor, dust, gas, mist, smoke or aerosols and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Prevent contaminated liquid, dust, runoff and decontamination waste from spreading.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 158, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2900 — Infectious substance, affecting animalsUse 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.