Dry shippers are specially designed shipping containers that keep materials at liquid nitrogen temperatures for extended periods with no free-flowing liquid and are not regulated by the DOT. Properly packaged dry shippers that do not contain hazardous materials may be treated as nonhazardous shipments. Regardless of the designation of the material being shipped, it is the user's responsibility to ensure that the shipment does not contain any free-flowing liquid nitrogen. Empty dry shippers must be at room temperature or they are subject to IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packing Instruction 202.

The DOT has approved the air cargo transport of dry shippers containing cryogenically preserved nonhazardous biological samples preserved in small quantities of certain frozen refrigerants, by any shipping party, to and from the APS (refer to the following section 9). These air shipments shall be arranged by the Argonne Shipping and Receiving Department. Because of the time-critical nature of many of these shipments, APS users are allowed to transport properly labeled and packaged shipments on the Argonne site. To ensure the timely preparation of the shipment, the user should make advanced arrangements with the Argonne shipping department, including the identification of any special shipping requirements (e.g., the user should alert the Shipping Department of the inclusion of infectious agents or other hazards associated with the shipment).

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has authorized 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 is immobilized in an absorbent material in the dewar. The DOT authorization allows for the air transport of biological samples preserved in small quantities of propane, ethane, chlorodifluoromethane, and other refrigerant gases.

Important notes:

• This authorization applies only to shipments to and from Argonne
• There may be additional requirements for transporting shipments outside of the United States — refer to APS User Safety Policy & Procedure APS_1410268 for guidance
• There are additional measures required for transporting infectious agents — contact the APS Biosafety Officer or AES ES&H Coordinator for guidance

You must ensure that your inbound or outbound shipment meets all requirements specified in the DOT approval. A copy of the current DOT approval, including packaging requirements, labeling requirements, and special provisions, is available through the APS User Safety Program.

To arrange for your dry shipper to be picked up for an outbound shipment from Argonne, contact Argonne Site Services Material Handling personnel. The arrangements will include where and when to pick the package up and Beamline contact.

The following must accompany the material to be shipped:

1. A completed Argonne 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 Argonne shipping at 630.252.2934),
    
3. SDS, 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).

Any individual who prepares hazardous materials for transportation must be trained on the requirements and conditions of the DOT approval, as well as on the general DOT regulations. Argonne encourages users to work with trained shipping personnel at their home institution and to ensure those personnel are aware of the conditions of the DOT approval.

Additional HazMat training information is available through Argonne and the DOT. For current DOT HazMat training resources visit http://hazmat.dot.gov.

Before shipping, verify that your air carrier will accept the shipment and determine whether the carrier has any specific requirements of their own. Argonne has previously worked with FedEx for these shipments.

Beamline Safety Coordinators and the Argonne Shipping Department (630-252-2934) can provide guidance and answer questions regarding the shipment of hazardous materials.

Resources

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)

Additional HazMat training information is available through Argonne and the DOT. For current DOT HazMat training resources visit http://hazmat.dot.gov.

Beamline Safety Coordinators, the Argonne Shipping Department, the APS User Safety Officer, APS Biosafety Officer, and AES ES&H Coordinators are all available to answer questions about shipping requirements or direct you to appropriate resources.

For additional information contact the APS User Safety Program.

Please contact the APS User Safety Program if you have any questions or cannot access the internal links