UN 1487: Potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite mixture

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1487 is assigned the proper shipping name Potassium nitrate and sodium nitrite mixture in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 5.1 Oxidizer material, Packing Group II. Required label(s): 5.1, 6.1.

Packing group indicates the degree of danger within a hazard class: PG I is high danger, PG II medium, PG III low. The proper shipping name, hazard class, UN number, and packing group together form the basic shipping description that must appear on shipping papers and, where required, on the package and placard.

Emergency Response (ERG Guide 140)

Hazards: May cause fire or explosion. May accelerate burning. May explode from heat or contamination.

Fire: Use flooding water. Cool containers. Do not use dry chemical on large fires (ineffective).

Spill: Keep combustibles away. Do not touch. Use water spray to reduce dust.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Sodium nitrite appears as a yellowish white crystalline solid. Noncombustible but will accelerate the burning of combustible material. If large quantities are involved in a fire or if the combustible material is finely divided, an explosion may result. If contaminated by ammonium compounds, spontaneous decomposition can occur and the resulting heat may ignite surrounding combustible material. Prolonged exposure heat may result in an explosion. Toxic oxides of nitrogen are produced in fires involving this material. Used as a food preservative, and to make other chemicals.

Regulatory Data

A release of this material at or above its CERCLA reportable quantity (100 lb) requires immediate notification to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: B78, IB8, IP2, IP4, T3, TP33. These codes modify the general requirements (packaging, quantity limits, exceptions) for this specific material. Look up each code in 49 CFR 172.102 for the full text.

Need the full interactive record? Open UN 1487 in the SpillNerd lookup tool for the live database entry with placard graphics, GHS pictograms, full segregation tables, and synonym search. For another material, use the UN number and chemical lookup.

Reference data compiled from the DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101), the 2024 Emergency Response Guidebook, and public chemical databases (PubChem, NIOSH, EPA). Always verify the correct shipping description against the current regulation and the manufacturer's SDS Section 14 before shipping.