UN 1849 — Sodium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water
Placard: Corrosive. ERG Guide 153. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
UN 1849 is Sodium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water, a corrosive sulfide material assigned to ERG Guide 153. Acids, water or moisture can release hydrogen sulfide gas, so air monitoring and acid control are critical.
Hazard overview: UN 1849 presents caustic sulfide contact, hydrogen sulfide gas, low-area vapor and contaminated-runoff hazards. Do not rely on rotten-egg odor as a safety warning.
Response guidance: For a UN 1849 incident, responders should verify the product with shipping papers, package markings, SDS and ERG Guide 153. Establish incident command, isolate the area, stay upwind, control ignition or incompatibility hazards, prevent runoff or vapor spread and choose entry/fire-control actions based on monitoring, SDS and local SOP.
Firefighter training notes: Training for UN 1849 should emphasize hydrogen sulfide generation, acid incompatibility, low-area vapor behavior, odor unreliability, air monitoring and decontamination. Use ERG 153, SDS and local SOP.
Regulatory context: Sodium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water is regulated as a hazardous material for transportation and emergency response purposes. Transportation, workplace exposure, spill reporting, waste handling, storage and environmental requirements may vary by formulation, concentration, quantity and jurisdiction. Verify current requirements through shipping papers, SDS, facility documents and applicable DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA, state or local authority guidance.
Storage & handling: Sodium sulphide, hydrated, with not less than 30% water should be stored in tightly closed compatible containers in a cool, dry, ventilated toxic/corrosive area away from acids, oxidizers, moisture where incompatible, heat and unauthorized access. Plan for hydrogen sulfide monitoring and runoff control.
UN 1849 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 1849
- TOXIC and CORROSIVE sulfide material; inhalation, ingestion or skin/eye contact may cause severe injury.
- Water, acids or moisture can release hydrogen sulfide gas, which is highly toxic and flammable.
- Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and may collect in low or confined areas.
- Solution or dust can burn eyes, skin and respiratory tissue.
- Fire may produce sulfur oxides and toxic/corrosive gases.
- Runoff may carry sulfide contamination and generate toxic gas if acidified.
- Odor is not a reliable warning for hydrogen sulfide exposure.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Yellow to brick-red crystalline solid or flakes with a rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) odor. Deliquescent, absorbs moisture from air.
| Also known as | Sodium sulfide hydrateDisodium sulfide hydrateSodium monosulfide hydratedNa2S·xH2O |
| CAS Number | 1313-84-4 |
| Appearance | Yellow to brick-red crystalline solid or flakes with a rotten egg (hydrogen sulfide) odor. Deliquescent, absorbs moisture from air. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (inorganic solid) |
| Boiling Point | Not applicable (decomposes upon heating) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid material) |
| Water Reactivity | Dissolves in water generating heat and producing toxic hydrogen sulfide gas; solution is highly alkaline and corrosive |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 1849
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use positive-pressure SCBA for dust, vapor, hydrogen sulfide, fire or confined-space exposure. Chemical-resistant gloves, boots, eye/face protection and protective clothing should be selected from SDS.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 1849 Incident
- CALL 911. Then call the emergency response telephone number on the shipping paper, if available.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away.
- Stay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.
- Avoid breathing vapors, fumes, dust, mist, smoke or gas and avoid skin or eye contact.
- Keep acids away from the material and monitor for hydrogen sulfide where available; odor is not a reliable warning.
- Do not touch or walk through spilled material unless properly trained and wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Ventilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained, equipped, monitored and authorized by incident command.
- Isolate the spill or leak area and expand the perimeter if vapor, dust, fire involvement, gas accumulation or unknown concentration is present.
- Use ERG Guide 153, shipping papers, SDS, air monitoring and incident command for protective actions.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 1849 — Sodium sulphide, hydrated, with not lessUse 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.