[NHCOLL-L:2654] Re: IATA and China

[Robert Waller]

Hi Geg,
As usual there is a short answer and a long answer to your question.
 
The short answer is: 3.3%, OK, close enough.
 
The long answer is "% solution" is an ambiguous term so one can not
associate any clear single value with it.
The bases for the "%" need to be stated.  Does it mean:
% volume solute / volume solution
% weight solute / weight solution
% weight solute / volume solution
% moles solute / moles solution
etc. etc.
For most concentrations other than 0% and 100% these will all be different
for the different bases for calculation.  They can easily vary by 5 to 10%
(absolute) or even more.  Still, for most practical work we don't need to
keep that in mind.  We just need to remember that we can not be precise, or
even clear, in our communication unless we know and specify the bases for %
expression.
 
Most will prefer the short answer!  It just comes at the cost to clarity.
Rob
-----Original Message-----
From: Gregory Watkins-Colwell [mailto:gregory.watkins-colwell at YALE.EDU] 
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 8:22 AM
To: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2653] Re: IATA and China
 
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                     *
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