UN 2495 — Iodine pentafluoride
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 144. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 2495 At a Glance
UN 2495 (Iodine pentafluoride) is listed as DOT Class 5 Oxidizer and is assigned to ERG Guide 144. Use this page to review placard data, common hazards, PPE notes, isolation context, first actions, and related UN numbers.
UN 2495 is Iodine pentafluoride, a strong oxidizing corrosive fuming liquid assigned to ERG Guide 144. Water reaction can release HF and heat.
Hazard overview: STRONG OXIDIZER and CORROSIVE fuming liquid; can ignite combustibles and severely burn tissue. Reacts violently with water or moisture, releasing heat and toxic/corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodine oxyacid products. Vapors/fumes are much heavier than air and highly irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Response guidance: For UN 2495, isolate the spill, stay upwind and use SCBA with chemical protection. Control moisture contact, contain acidic/toxic runoff and use dry compatible agents under SDS and ERG 144 guidance.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 2495 should emphasize water-reactive corrosive fuming, dry-agent selection, SCBA/Level A decisions, decontamination and acidic/toxic runoff control. Use ERG 144, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Iodine pentafluoride is regulated as a hazardous material for transport and emergency response. Storage, exposure, spill reporting, waste and fire-code duties depend on quantity, concentration and jurisdiction; verify shipping papers, SDS and local authority requirements.
Storage & handling: Iodine pentafluoride should be stored dry in tightly closed compatible containers away from water, moisture, bases, oxidizers/reducing agents where incompatible, heat and unauthorized access. Provide secondary containment.
UN 2495 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2495
- STRONG OXIDIZER and CORROSIVE fuming liquid; can ignite combustibles and severely burn tissue.
- Reacts violently with water or moisture, releasing heat and toxic/corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodine oxyacid products.
- Vapors/fumes are much heavier than air and highly irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
- Contact with metals or combustibles may create fire, toxic gas or pressure hazards.
- Fire or heating may produce fluorides, iodine compounds and corrosive fumes.
- Runoff may be strongly acidic, fluoride-contaminated and toxic.
- Containers may rupture or explode when heated or contaminated with water.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Fumes strongly in moist air forming corrosive hydrogen fluoride.
| Also known as | Iodine(V) fluoridePentafluoroiodineIF5 |
| CAS Number | 7783-66-6 |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow fuming liquid with a pungent, irritating odor. Fumes strongly in moist air forming corrosive hydrogen fluoride. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (strong oxidizer, non-flammable but ignites combustibles) |
| Boiling Point | 100.5C (213F) |
| Vapor Density | 7.8 (much heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently and exothermically with water producing toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride and iodic acid vapors |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2495
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA and fully encapsulating chemical protective clothing for close entry or unknown concentrations. Protect against severe toxic/corrosive vapor and splash exposure.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2495 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, mist, smoke or fumes and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Keep water contact controlled because moisture can increase heat release, corrosive fuming or toxic gas formation.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled material without proper training and PPE.
- Ventilate confined spaces only after monitoring and only if properly trained and equipped.
- Use ERG Guide 144, SDS, shipping papers and monitoring to set isolation, evacuation and entry decisions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2495 — Iodine pentafluorideUse 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.