UN 3497 — Krill meal
Placard: Spontaneously Combustible. ERG Guide 133. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 3497 is Krill meal, a Class 4 hazardous material assigned to ERG Guide 133. Responders should confirm the exact product, container condition and exposure hazards before entry.
Hazard overview: Primary hazards include toxic exposure, fire or vapor ignition. Krill meal may release irritating, toxic or corrosive vapors when heated, spilled or involved in fire, so avoid contact, inhalation and incompatible materials.
Response guidance: For a UN 3497 incident, establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind and uphill, keep unauthorized personnel away, verify shipping papers/SDS and follow ERG 133. Use extinguishing, cooling, containment and decontamination tactics only when compatible with the material and local SOP.
UN 3497 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 3497
- Flammable/combustible material.
- May be ignited by friction, heat, sparks or flames.
- Some may burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.
- Powders, dusts, shavings, borings, turnings or cuttings may explode or burn with explosive violence.
- Substance may be transported in a molten form at a temperature that may be above its flash point.
- May re-ignite after fire is extinguished.
- Fire may produce irritating and/or toxic gases.
- Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Reddish-brown to pink-brown granular or powdered meal with a characteristic fishy odor. Solid material at room temperature derived from processed krill crustaceans.
| Also known as | Krill mealAntarctic krill mealEuphausia superba mealFish meal (krill)Crustacean meal |
| Appearance | Reddish-brown to pink-brown granular or powdered meal with a characteristic fishy odor. Solid material at room temperature derived from processed krill crustaceans. |
| Flash Point | Not precisely defined; combustible solid, ignition temperature varies with particle size and moisture content |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (solid organic material that decomposes upon heating) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction with water; may absorb moisture and become more prone to spontaneous heating |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3497
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Level C minimum; SCBA recommended in confined spaces or heavy smoke; protect against dust inhalation and skin contact
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 3497 Incident
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.
- Consider initial downwind evacuation for at least 100 meters (330 feet).
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3497 — Krill mealUse 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.