☣️ UN 3430 • CLASS 6
UN 3430 — Xylenols, liquid
Placard: Toxic. ERG Guide 153. 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 3430 is Xylenols, liquid, a corrosive phenolic liquid mixture also known as dimethylphenols. It can burn under fire conditions and can cause severe skin and eye injury.
Hazard overview: UN 3430 is toxic and corrosive by skin, eye, inhalation and ingestion exposure. Phenolic liquids can be absorbed through skin and may cause systemic toxicity. Fire may produce toxic smoke, and vapors can form hazardous mixtures when heated.
Response guidance: For UN 3430, isolate the spill, avoid direct contact and control ignition sources. Use alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or CO2 for fire control, cool containers from a distance and prevent phenolic runoff from entering drains.
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UN 3430 Quick Details
UN 3430
Product name: Xylenols, liquid
DOT Class: 6
Placard type: Toxic
ERG Guide: 153 (check current ERG)
Initial isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Common Hazards of UN 3430
- TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
- Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
- Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
- Avoid any skin contact.
- Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.
- Runoff from fire control or dilution water may be corrosive and/or toxic and cause environmental
- Combustible material: may burn but does not ignite readily.
- When heated, vapors may form explosive mixtures with air: indoors, outdoors and sewers explosion
Chemical Identity & Physical Properties
UN 3430 is typically a colorless to brownish liquid with a strong phenolic odor. It is only slightly soluble in water and may form slicks or contaminated runoff.
| Also known as | XylenolsDimethylphenolsMethylcresolsHydroxydimethylbenzeneDMHP |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow or brownish viscous liquid with a phenolic or medicinal odor. Can be solid at room temperature depending on isomer. |
| Flash Point | 81-93C (178-199F) depending on isomer |
| Boiling Point | 211-225C (412-437F) depending on isomer |
| Vapor Density | 4.2 (heavier than air) |
| Water Reactivity | No significant reaction; slightly soluble in water |
Chemical details are general reference only. Always verify with current SDS, ERG, and SOP/SOG.
Fireground Response Guidance — UN 3430
Extinguishing Media
Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling
PPE Requirements
⚠️ Level B minimum; SCBA required; full body protection; chemical-resistant gloves and suit due to corrosive and toxic properties
Use SCBA with chemical-resistant protective clothing, gloves and boots suitable for phenolic compounds. Avoid skin contact; phenol-type materials can penetrate some glove materials, so SDS selection matters.
Isolation & Evacuation
ERG 153: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
Always confirm protective actions with the current edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG Guide 153).
First Actions for a UN 3430 Incident
- 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 in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
- For highlighted materials: see Table 1 - Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances.
- For non-highlighted materials: increase the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind
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📋 Copy & Share Field Card
UN 3430 — Xylenols, liquidHAZMAT RADIO NOTE — UN 3430
Product: Xylenols, liquid
Class 6 / Toxic / ERG 153
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; full body protection; chemical-resistant gloves and suit due to corrosive and toxic properties
ISOLATION: ERG 153: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
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 3430 — Xylenols, liquid
Class: 6 | Placard: Toxic | ERG Guide: 153
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow or brownish viscous liquid with a phenolic or medicinal odor. Can be solid at room temperature depending on isomer.
Water Reactivity: No significant reaction; slightly soluble in water
Extinguishing: Alcohol-resistant foam, CO2, dry chemical, water spray for cooling
PPE: Level B minimum; SCBA required; full body protection; chemical-resistant gloves and suit due to corrosive and toxic properties
Isolation: ERG 153: isolate spill 50m all directions; if tank/railcar involved in fire isolate 800m all directions and consider initial evacuation 800m
— Key Hazards —
• TOXIC and/or CORROSIVE; inhalation, ingestion or skin contact with material may cause severe injury
• Methyl bromoacetate (UN2643) is an eye irritant/lachrymator (causes flow of tears).
• Contact with molten substance may cause severe burns to skin and eyes.
— First Actions —
• 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 in all directions for at least 50 meters (150 feet) for liquids and at least 25 meters
SOURCE: allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/xylenols-liquid-un-3430 | Always use current ERG + SOP/SOGIC BRIEFING
Use for: Incident command briefing, staging area whiteboard, or pre-entry team brief.
UN3430 Xylenols, liquid Cls6 ERG153 | allfirefighter.com/hazmat/un/xylenols-liquid-un-3430SMS / 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/xylenols-liquid-un-3430
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Frequently Asked Questions about UN 3430
UN 3430 is Xylenols, liquid. It should be identified from shipping papers, markings and the SDS before responders work near the release.
ERG Guide 153 applies to UN 3430 for initial isolation, protective actions and first-response guidance.
UN 3430 is not primarily classified as flammable, but fire may produce toxic or corrosive gases and containers may become dangerous when heated.
Use SCBA with chemical-resistant protective clothing, gloves and boots suitable for phenolic compounds. Avoid skin contact; phenol-type materials can penetrate some glove materials, so SDS selection matters.
UN 3430 is toxic and corrosive by skin, eye, inhalation and ingestion exposure.
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.