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United Nations/North American Number Datasheet

UN/NA 1079

2.3 - Poisonous gas 8 - Corrosive

Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG, 2020)

A caution icon. The ERG recommendations are developed for use during the initial phase of transportation incidents; they are not intended for spills at facilities.

Material Names

  • Sulfur dioxide
  • Sulphur dioxide
ERG book cover

Response Guide 125

Gases - Toxic and/or Corrosive Gases - Tóxicos y/o Corrosivos Gaz - Toxiques et/ou Corrosifs

 

ERG Table 1: Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances

Name of Material Small Spills
(from a small package or small leak)
Large Spills
(from a large package or many small packages)
First
Isolate
in all Directions
Then Protect Downwind First
Isolate
in all Directions
Then Protect Downwind
Day Night Day Night
Sulfur dioxide 300 ft 0.4 mi 1.6 mi Refer to Table 3
Sulphur dioxide 300 ft 0.4 mi 1.6 mi Refer to Table 3

The ERG doesn't predict that large amounts of toxic-by-inhalation gases will be produced if this material is spilled in water.

ERG Table 3: Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances for Different Quantities of Six Common Toxic-by-Inhalation Gases

UN1079 Sulfur dioxide/Sulphur dioxide: Large Spills
Transport Container First
Isolate
in all Directions
Then Protect Downwind
Day Night
Low Wind
(<6 mph)
Moderate Wind
(6-12 mph)
High Wind
(>12 mph)
Low Wind
(<6 mph)
Moderate Wind
(6-12 mph)
High Wind
(>12 mph)
Rail tank car 3000 ft 7+ mi 7+ mi 4.5 mi 7+ mi 7+ mi 6.3 mi
Highway tank truck or trailer 3000 ft 7+ mi 3.8 mi 3.3 mi 7+ mi 5.1 mi 3.9 mi
Multiple ton cylinders 1500 ft 3.4 mi 1.5 mi 1.1 mi 4.8 mi 2.6 mi 1.8 mi
Multiple small cylinders or single ton cylinder 600 ft 2.0 mi 0.9 mi 0.7 mi 3.6 mi 1.6 mi 0.9 mi
"+" means distance can be larger in certain atmospheric conditions.

Hazmat Table (49 CFR 172.101)

UN/NA Proper Shipping Name Hazard Class Labels Notes*

* There are three notes: (1) whether the displayed information is for domestic (U.S.) or international shipping (if neither is specifically indicated, it applies to both), (2) whether the proper shipping name must include one or more technical names of the hazardous material in parentheses, and (3) whether the hazardous material is an inhalation hazard.
UN Sulfur dioxide 2.3 2.3, 8 Inhalation Hazard Zone C

  2.3 - Poisonous gas

  8 - Corrosive