[Nhcoll-l] Formaldehyde and IATA
Lars Erik Johannessen
l.e.johannessen at nhm.uio.no
Thu Jun 6 14:52:28 EDT 2013
Hi,
I believe a clarification might be in place regarding
concentrations of formalin/formaldehyde:
100% formalin is a saturated water solution that contains 37%
formaldehyde by mass. This is also referred to as "37% formaldehyde".
As the entry in the IATA DGR refers to "formaldehyde solutions" (i.e.
NOT formalin), the following classification of formaldehyde
solutions/formalin should apply:
<10% formaldehyde = ca. 27% formalin:
Not subject to the IATA DGR regulations
10-25% formaldehyde = ca. 27-68% formalin:
Classified as UN 3334
>=25% formaldehyde = >= ca. 68-100% formalin:
Classified as UN 2209
Regards,
Lars Erik
On 06.06.2013 16:43, Bentley, Andrew Charles wrote:
> Hi all
>
> It was recently brought to my attention by Dirk Neumann that the entry
> for formaldehyde in the dangerous goods table of the latest IATA manual
> (version 54) has been amended to exclude the phrase “Formaldehyde
> solution with >10% but <25% formaldehyde” as in the below screenshot
> from the old manual:
>
> cid:image001.png at 01CE5B89.F8A0AD90
>
> This obviously affects our ability to ship dilute formalin solutions
> with specimens – what we call 10% which is actually 3.7%.
>
> I emailed my contact at IATA and he informed me that it was removed
> after some discussion at the last Dangerous Goods meeting but in its
> place a special provision SP A 189 was added which states:
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> *A189 *Except where the defining criteria of another class or division
> are met, concentrations of formaldehyde solution:
>
> (a) with 10% or more, but less than 25% formaldehyde must be classified
> as UN 3334 Aviation regulated liquid, n.o.s.; and
>
> (b) with less than 10% formaldehyde are not subject to these Regulations.
>
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> So, it appears as if status quo has been maintained, just in another
> way. Solutions of 3.7% formalin are still exempt from the dangerous
> goods regulations and can be transported internationally by courier as
> before. By definition, as it is outside the scope of the dangerous
> goods regulations and is not classified as an aviation regulated liquid,
> it can also be carried onto a plane as checked and carry on (subject to
> TSA regulations) baggage.
>
> Hope that helps
>
> Andy
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu <mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
>
> http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
> <http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/>
>
> SPNHC President-Elect
>
> http://www.spnhc.org
>
> : :
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
>
>
>
> This body part will be downloaded on demand.
>
--
Regards,
Lars Erik
-----------------------------------------
Dr. Lars Erik Johannessen
Head engineer
DNA Bank
Natural History Museum
Department of Technical and Scientific Conservation
University of Oslo
P.O. Box 1172 Blindern
NO-0318 Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47 22851801
Courier address:
DNA Bank
Natural History Museum
University of Oslo
Att.: Lars Erik Johannessen
Sars gate 1
NO-0562 Oslo
Norway
Visiting address:
Room 037 (ground floor)
Zoological Museum
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