☣️ UN 3489 • CLASS 6
UN 3489 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone B)
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 131. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
🚒☣️
⚠️ Verification required:
Broad or variable material category; verify exact product, SDS and shipping papers.
⚠️ 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.
UN 3489 At a Glance
UN 3489 (Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive (Inhalation…) is listed as DOT Class 6 Toxic and is assigned to ERG Guide 131. Use this page to review placard data, common hazards, PPE notes, isolation context, first actions, and related UN numbers.
UN 3489 covers poisonous-by-inhalation liquid, n.o.s. in Inhalation Hazard Zone B, with additional flammable corrosive hazards.
Hazard overview: The primary risk is severe inhalation toxicity. The liquid may also be flammable and corrosive, and vapors can collect in low or confined areas.
Response guidance: Isolate immediately, eliminate ignition sources, stay upwind, prevent runoff, and use foam, dry chemical, or CO2 as appropriate for the exact product.
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UN 3489 Quick Details
UN 3489
Product name: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone B)
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 131 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 131: Isolate spill/leak area 50m in all directions; evacuate 800m downwind during day, 1600m at night if large spill
Common Hazards of UN 3489
- TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
- Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
- Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Fire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation, especially when in closed or confined areas.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause environmental contamination.
- HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames.
- Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 3489 is a variable liquid with a potentially irritating or pungent odor, and its color can range from colored to clear.
| Also known as | PIH liquid flammable corrosive n.o.s.Toxic inhalation hazard liquid Zone BTIH flammable corrosive liquid n.o.s.Poisonous liquid flammable corrosive generic |
| Appearance | Variable liquid (n.o.s. entry covers multiple substances). Typically colored to clear liquid with potentially irritating or pungent odor. Corrosive and toxic properties. |
| Flash Point | Variable, but flammable (below 60.5°C/141°F per Class 3 secondary hazard) |
| Boiling Point | Variable depending on specific substance |
| Vapor Density | Typically heavier than air (vapor density >1) for most PIH liquids |
| Water Reactivity | May react with water due to corrosive properties; use caution with water application |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3489
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam preferred; dry chemical, CO2 for small fires; avoid direct water streams
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level A required for initial entry; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact due to inhalation toxicity and corrosivity
Level A with fully encapsulating suit and SCBA is recommended because of the inhalation hazard.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 131: Isolate spill/leak area 50m in all directions; evacuate 800m downwind during day, 1600m at night if large spill
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 131).
First Actions for a UN 3489 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
- Isolate spill or leak area for at least 50 meters (150 feet) in all directions.
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials, increase the downwind precautionary distance as conditions require.
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3489 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammablHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3489
Product: Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone B)
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 131
PPE: Level A required for initial entry; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact due to inhalation toxicity and corrosivity
ISOLATION: ERG 131: Isolate spill/leak area 50m in all directions; evacuate 800m downwind during day, 1600m at night if large spill
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 3489 — Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone B)
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 131
Appearance: Variable liquid (n.o.s. entry covers multiple substances). Typically colored to clear liquid with potentially irritating or pungent odor. Corrosive and toxic properties.
Water Reactivity: May react with water due to corrosive properties; use caution with water application
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam preferred; dry chemical, CO2 for small fires; avoid direct water streams
PPE: Level A required for initial entry; SCBA with full facepiece; chemical-resistant suit; avoid all contact due to inhalation toxicity and corrosivity
Isolation: ERG 131: Isolate spill/leak area 50m in all directions; evacuate 800m downwind during day, 1600m at night if large spill
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC; may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
• Inhalation or contact with some of these materials will irritate or burn skin and eyes.
• Methyl chloroacetate (UN2295) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
— First Actions —
• CALL 911. Then call the emergency response number on the shipping paper, if available.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3489 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3489 Poisonous by inhalation liquid, flammable, corrosive, n.o.s. (Inhalation Hazard Zone B) Cls6 ERG131 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3489SMS / 160 CHAR
Use for: Quick text to command or incoming units. Fits in a single SMS.
⚠️ Quick-reference only. Always use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Page: https://allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/poisonous-by-inhalation-liquid-un-3489
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3489
Yes. It has flammable liquid hazards in addition to inhalation toxicity.
Water reactivity depends on the specific product; avoid direct contact until shipping papers or SDS identify the material.
Level A with fully encapsulating suit and SCBA is recommended because of the inhalation hazard.
Treat as an extreme inhalation hazard, isolate the area, stay upwind, and evacuate downwind as directed by ERG and incident command.
UN 3489 is assigned to ERG Guide 131 for initial emergency response guidance.
Inhalation Hazard Zone B indicates a severe toxic inhalation risk; Zone A is more severe than Zone B.
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.