May 19, 1999
(Revised October 4, 2007 )

APS TECHNICAL UPDATE - 25

Subject: DOT authorizes cryo-preserved biological sample air transport

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved an ANL request that "authorizes the cargo air transport of small samples of biological macromolecules (e.g., proteins, enzymes, antibodies, ribosomes, non-restricted viruses, DNA, RNA, etc.) contained in deeply refrigerated flammable or non-flammable gas and packaged in a ‘dry shipper’ charged with liquid nitrogen." In a dry shipper, the cryogenic fluid has been immobilized in an absorbent material in the dewar. DOT regulations have previously permitted the use of dry shippers, the request approval now allows for the air transport of biological samples preserved in small quantities of propane, ethane, chlorodiflouromethane, and other refrigerant gases. A copy of the approval (number CA-199807017, second revision dated October 22, 2002), including packaging requirements, labeling requirements, and other special provisions, is attached for your reference. Note: 1) this authorization applies only to shipments to and from ANL, and that there may be additional requirements for transporting your shipment outside of the United States (refer to section 6c); and 2) there are additional measures that are required for transporting infectious agents, and guidance can be provided by ANL ESH personnel. (The current ESH contact is Jeff McGhee who can be reached at 630.252.5712).

You must ensure that your in-bound or out-bound shipment meets all of the requirements specified in the attached DOT approval.

ANL-originated shipments

To arrange for your dry shipper to be picked up for an outbound shipment from ANL, contact ANL Site Services Material Handling personnel. (The current contact is Debbie Leasure who can be reached by paging her at 4-1683.) The arrangements will include where and when to pick the package up and a CAT contact.

  • To arrange for same day pickup and outbound shipment: contact Material Handling personnel before 10:00 A.M. and request delivery to building 46 before noon.
  • If the shipment must go out on a particular day and your shipment will not be available in the morning of the day required, then no later than the day before, contact the material handling personnel to see if shipping arrangements can be made to meet your requirements. To expedite such shipments, you may be requested to FAX a copy of the completed ANL Shipping Order (ANL form ANL-126C) to the ANL shipping department at 630.252.4130 so that the shipping documents (air bills, labeling, etc.) can be prepared ahead of time by the shipping department.

The following must accompany the material to be shipped:

  1. a completed ANL Shipping Order (form ANL-126), providing the off-site shipping information,
  2. a completed Hazardous Material Manifest/Cargo List (form PFS-SS/MAT 001, copy attached, follow link below), providing the on-site driver with the on-site transport directions and a manifest, which includes proper shipping name, DOT hazardous classification and UN number (for assistance contact ANL shipping at 630.252.2934),
  3. MSDS, to help expedite shipping department hazards identification and verification of the material classification), and
  4. per the DOT requirement, a copy of the DOT approval letter (follow link below).

Shipments to ANL

The DOT approval includes requirements that any individual that prepares hazardous materials for transportation is trained on the requirements and conditions of the approval, as well as on the general requirements of DOT regulations (refer to section 6 d of the DOT approval for specific federal regulation references). ANL encourages you to use the trained shipping personnel at your home institution and ensure that they are aware of the conditions of the DOT approval. Additional HazMat personnel training can be provided through ANL and is available from the DOT. (On-line DOT HazMat and training information can found on the DOT web-sites http://hazmat.dot.gov and http://www.text-trieve.com/tsi/.)

Be aware that you should verify that the air carrier you plan on using will accept the shipment for transport and determine whether the carrier has any the specific requirements of their own. Currently ANL has worked with FedEx, who has agreed to accept these shipments from ANL.

CAT safety personnel and the ANL shipping department (telephone 630.252.2934) can provide guidance and can answer your questions regarding the shipment of hazardous materials.

If you have any questions relating to the provisions or implementation of the DOT approval, please contact Steve Davey, APS Technical Operations Specialist, who will direct you to the appropriate ANL contacts for assistance. (I would like to acknowledge that SBC-CAT coordinated the preparation of the requests to DOT.)

 

For additional information contact:

Julie Cross - User Technical Interface
jox@aps.anl.gov
Telephone - 630.252.0592

Updated: October 4, 2007

 

attachments: (NOTE - both attachments are PDF documents)

DOT Approval CA-199807017 - rev. 2, 22 Oct. 2002
Hazardous Material Manifest/Cargo List, form PFS-SS/MAT 001 (Rev. 4/99)

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