UN 1870: Potassium borohydride

DOT Classification and Shipping

UN 1870 is assigned the proper shipping name Potassium borohydride in the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). It is classified as a Class 4.3 Dangerous When Wet material, Packing Group I. Required label(s): 4.3.

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 138)

Hazards: Corrosive. Reacts with water, produces corrosive/toxic gases. May ignite on water contact.

Fire: DO NOT use water. Use dry chemical, dry sand, soda ash.

Spill: Do not touch. Keep dry. Move from water source. Cover with dry earth.

Chemical and Physical Properties

Potassium borohydride is a white crystalline or powdered solid. When exposed to water it may react violently and start a fire. It is toxic by ingestion. It is used to make other chemicals.

Special Provisions

49 CFR 172.102 special provision codes for this entry: A19, N40, W31. 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 1870 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.