[Nhcoll-l] "Zip-lock" food storage bags

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

I would wholeheartedly endorse this but also go a step further in mentioning that the IATA regulations that govern the shipping of excepted quantities of flammable liquids through IATA Special Provision A180 expressly require heat sealing of both inner and outer bags (or other positive closure such as screw top vial) as part of their packing instructions along with maximum quantities of ethanol in both inner and outer packages.  As such Zip-Lock bags of any sort of tying closed bags with string or rubber bands is forbidden and should not be used.

DOT regulations that govern domestic shipping require that each inner and outer packaging be securely closed with wire, tape or other positive means.  A Zip-Lock bag does fit that decription.

I have been informed by my contacts at DOT and IATA that if packages sent by the museum community using these regulations are found to be in defiance of the regulation we run the risk of having these exceptions rescinded and we will be back to square one of being unable to ship materials through the mail. I do not want all of our years of hard work to be for naught.

Please adhere to the regulations in all aspects of shipping and packing to ensure this does not happen.  More information about correct shipping and packing regulations and procedures can be found on the SPNHC wiki here:  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__spnhc.biowikifarm.net_wiki_Shipping-5Fand-5FHandling-5Fof-5FDangerous-5FGoods&d=DwIFAw&c=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=LpYc_Z_iN1KRw0hheb3x6-8MJUMu482qfHowpGYJqwc&m=2qUglL_qqYIjSIAjaLvOesP_eZWXRZicbYD9rzafpS4&s=DEUsbDm3q9gj0tVJg6Ha5lGzhhCTDzHNcY68Y-TgSVE&e=.

Thanks

Andy
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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard<x-apple-data-detectors://9>
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561<x-apple-data-detectors://9>
USA<x-apple-data-detectors://9>

Tel: (785) 864-3863<tel:%28785%29%20864-3863>
Fax: (785) 864-5335<tel:%28785%29%20864-5335>
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Alexandra Snyder
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 10:31 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] "Zip-lock" food storage bags


This morning, once again, I am unpacking a leaking box of specimens, a loan return.   I would like to make a special appeal that fluid preserved specimens NOT be shipped in zip-lock food storage bags---at all---but if they are used, zip-lock bags should NOT be used as an "outside bag"---i.e., the bag that must hold fluid if the first bags leak.  Not sure if they still do this, but carriers like USPS, UPS or FedEx used claim that they would discard packages if the package was leaking fluid.



A zip-lock can be used as a first bag, to hold specimens wrapped in cheesecloth or toweling,  but the outer bag that holds the individual collections should be a 4-mil plastic bag with a sealed top.  A sealed top can be accomplished using a heat sealer to seal top (no folds or wrinkles) and testing that seal by pressing on the bag and checking for air escape.  If a heat sealer is not available, the top can be tightly twisted, folded over and tied off with string (not rubber bands.)  I  have successfully used this twist top seal on bags of specimens fixing in formalin and transported out of the field.  Attached is a pdf demonstrating the seal.


*************************************
Alexandra M Snyder, Collections Manager-Fishes
Museum of Southwestern Biology MSC03-2020
University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87131
PH./FAX 505.277.6005     amsnyder at unm.edu<mailto:amsnyder at unm.edu>

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR FEDEX/UPS
Bldg.83  Room 204
302 Yale Blvd NE



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