[NHCOLL-L:2653] Re: IATA and China

[Gregory Watkins-Colwell]

interesting that formalin caused the stir when the documentation we've read 
shows that the concentrations we use are under the specified % of 
formaldehyde that needs to be in the solution to be an official 
hazard.  The smallest concentration regulated, according to our IATA and US 
DOT books, is 25% formaldehyde in solution.  Yikes!  I can't even imagine 
how my eyes would feel working with that in the volumes with which we use 
the dilute formula.

Please correct my chemistry/math if I'm wrong.  But we start with a 33% 
solution of formaldehyde and mix it with water in a 1:9 ratio to make what 
we all call a 10% solution.  The amount of formaldehyde is really 3.3%.  right?

Chemists unite!

greg


At 09:08 AM 5/12/2005 +1200, you wrote:


>We are still in discussion with various organisations including UPS about 
>shipping preserved specimens. In my case the hold-ups of material coming 
>into New Zealand has been MAF Quarantine and their concerns about bio 
>security. As a rule I always declare that the package contains "Marine 
>fishes preserved in alcohol for scientific research only. No endangered 
>species. Non-viable. No commercial value." and it always gets through. I 
>also wrap the specimens in water dampened cloth, relying on residual 
>alcohol in the specimens.
>
>The biggest lot I sent was a consignment of 3 x 125 litre drums + 1 x 50 
>litre drum of fish specimens in alcohol shipped to France. They went 
>through without a murmur. Once I told the agent handling that it was 
>diluted product in the drums (50% IPA) the specimens being triple wrapped 
>and sealed in plastic bags, neither he nor the shipping company could care 
>less. Formalin on the other hand posed a much bigger hassle and required 
>shipping as a dangerous goods.
>
>It seems that in-spite of all the regulations, it is very difficult to get 
>a hard and fast ruling on how something should be done.....anywhere!!
>
>Andrew
>
>Andrew Stewart
>Collection Manager: Fishes
>Museum of New Zealand
>DDI (04) 381-7314
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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******************************************************
*       Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell                      *
*       Herpetology and Ichthyology                     *
*       Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History  *
*       170 Whitney Avenue, P. O. Box 208118            *
*       New Haven, CT  06520-8118                       *
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*       FAX: 203/432-2874                               *
*       http://www.peabody.yale.edu                     *
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