UN 2547 — Sodium superoxide
Placard: Oxidizer. ERG Guide 143. Training/quick-reference only — use current ERG + SOP/SOG for incident-specific actions.
Sodium superoxide is a highly reactive oxidizer shipped as UN 2547. Moisture, organic contamination or fuels can produce dangerous heat, oxygen release and corrosive products.
Hazard overview: Sodium superoxide can intensify fire and may react violently with water, organics, oils or reducing agents. Contact may cause corrosive injury, and decomposition can release irritating fumes.
Response guidance: Keep the material dry and separate it from combustibles. Do not use water, foam, CO2 or organic absorbents directly on the material unless the SDS and incident command approve. Use dry, compatible methods and control contaminated runoff.
Firefighter training notes: Train crews to identify oxidizer incidents and avoid fuel contamination. Emphasize dry control methods and the danger of adding water to reactive oxidizers.
Regulatory context: UN 2547 is transported as Sodium superoxide, Class 5 oxidizer. Confirm package integrity, quantity and emergency contact details on shipping papers.
Storage & handling: Store cool, dry and isolated from water, combustibles, organics, oils, acids and reducing agents. Keep containers tightly closed.
UN 2547 Quick Details
Common Hazards of UN 2547
- Sodium superoxide is a strong oxidizer; it can intensify fire even though it is not fuel.
- Friction, heat, shock or contamination may cause violent decomposition or explosion.
- Contact with water or moisture can release heat, oxygen and corrosive sodium hydroxide.
- Contact with fuels, oils, organics or reducing agents may cause ignition or violent reaction.
- Dust or residue can severely irritate or burn skin, eyes and respiratory tract.
- Containers may rupture when heated.
- Fire or decomposition may produce irritating and corrosive fumes.
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
Sodium superoxide is usually a yellow to white granular powder or pellets. It is an oxidizing solid rather than a normal combustible fuel.
| Also known as | Sodium peroxideSodium dioxideDisodium dioxideSodium hyperoxide |
| CAS Number | 12401-86-4 |
| Appearance | Yellow to white granular powder or pellets. Odorless. Solid at room temperature. |
| Flash Point | Not applicable (oxidizer, not flammable itself) |
| Boiling Point | Decomposes at 657C (1215F) |
| Vapor Density | Not applicable (solid) |
| Water Reactivity | Reacts violently with water producing heat, oxygen, and corrosive sodium hydroxide solution. Do not use water directly on material. |
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 2547
Extinguishing Media
PPE Requirements
Use SCBA and chemical-resistant protective clothing. Avoid all dust contact with skin, eyes and respiratory tract; plan decontamination before entry.
Isolation & Evacuation
First Actions for a UN 2547 Incident
- Call 911 and the emergency response number on the shipping papers.
- Keep unauthorized personnel away and remove combustibles if safe.
- Stay upwind, uphill and upstream of dust, fumes and runoff.
- Avoid breathing dust or fumes; prevent all skin and eye contact.
- Do not touch damaged containers or spilled oxidizer without chemical-resistant PPE.
- Keep water, foam, oils, fuels and organic absorbents away from the material.
- Use ERG 143, SDS and shipping papers to confirm isolation and dry cleanup methods.
📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 2547 — Sodium superoxideUse 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.