UN 0146 — Nitrostarch, dry or wetted
Placard: Explosive 1.1D. ERG Guide 112. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 0146, Nitrostarch, is a highly explosive solid classified as Class 1.1D, capable of mass detonation of an entire load simultaneously under heat, shock, or friction. Emergency responders must treat any incident involving this material as a potential mass explosion event and maintain safe distances at all times.
Hazard overview: UN 0146 Nitrostarch presents a mass explosion hazard with severe blast overpressure and fragmentation capable of affecting a wide area simultaneously. The material is sensitive to heat, shock, and friction, meaning even wetted transport forms remain explosive and must be handled with extreme caution.
Response guidance: Per ERG Guide 112, responders must isolate a minimum of 500 meters in all directions and evacuate at least 1600 meters if fire is present or if dry Nitrostarch is involved. Water may be applied from a safe distance to cool unexploded material, but no foam, CO2, or dry chemical agents should be used on burning explosive material.
UN 0146 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 0146
- Mass explosion hazard — entire load may detonate simultaneously.
- Severe blast overpressure and fragmentation.
- Sensitive to heat, shock, and friction.
- Secondary fire and debris hazard.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 0146 Nitrostarch appears as a white to yellowish powder or granular solid with no odor or a faint ester-like odor, closely resembling ordinary starch in appearance despite being highly explosive.
| Also known as | Starch nitrateNitrated starchExplosive starchStarch dinitrate |
| Appearance | White to yellowish powder or granular solid, odorless or slight ester-like odor. Appears similar to ordinary starch but is highly explosive. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (explosive solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes explosively before boiling) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | May be wetted with water for transport safety; wetting reduces sensitivity but material remains explosive |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 0146
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Responders approaching UN 0146 must wear Level A protection with blast-resistant gear at minimum, with SCBA mandatory and full structural firefighting gear required for any fire scenario, with immediate withdrawal ordered if explosives are directly involved in fire.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 0146 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper.
- Establish large isolation zone — minimum 500 meters in all directions.
- Stage upwind, uphill; limit personnel to essential responders only.
- Request Hazmat + law enforcement + additional resources immediately.
- Do not fight fire — evacuate and isolate; let burn if no life safety risk.
- Protect exposures only if safe and directed by command.
- Consult current ERG Guide 112 and follow SOP/SOG.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 0146 — Nitrostarch, dry or wettedUse 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.