# SAIC Health Physicist — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 03-0071  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2003-04-16

03-0071 response to SAIC Health Physicist concerning 173.403.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
J.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Special Programs
Research and
APR 16 2003
Washington, D.C. 20590
Administration
Ms. Linda G. Bray
SAIC Health Physicist
Reference No. 03-0071
16701 West Bernardo Drive
San Diego, CA 92127
Dear Ms. Bray:
This responds to your letter requesting clarification of the labeling requirements under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You ask if the "activity" and
"transport index" values, when required on a RADIOACTIVE label, may be expressed as less
than (<) the maximum initial starting value. You state that you wish to use permanent labels on a
Type A package installed in a Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (Mobile VACIS)
and that the "activity" and "transport index" values decrease over a time period of between 8 to
15 years. You also reference a previous clarification letter regarding the use of a permanent
shipping paper that remains with the vehicle for its life time (Reference No. 02-0116, June 4,
The answer to your question is no. There are no provisions in the HMR to express the value of
the "activity" or the "transport index" of a RADIOACTIVE label in a manner other than the
actual value. Our letter of clarification regarding the permanent shipping paper states that the
same shipping paper may remain with the Mobile VACIS for its lifetime provided the content
(including quantity) of the Type A package remains the same and the Type A package is not
reshipped or transferred to another vehicle. If the content (including quantity) of the Type A
package changes (i.e. decreases over time), a new shipping paper would have to be prepared and
new RADIOACTIVE labels reflecting the decreased "activity" and "transport index" affixed to
the Type A package. Since radioactive material decays, we suggest that you may wish to prepare
a new shipping paper and affix a new label reflecting the new level of activity periodically.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely
Hothe 2. mitheel
Hattie L. Mitchell
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
030071
113

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Corbin
AIC.
$173.403
Science Applications International Corporation
An Employee-Owned Company
_abeline
March 4, 2003
13-0071
Edward Mazzullo
Director Office of Hazardous Material Standards
USDOT/RSPA (DHM)-10
400 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Subject: Request for Clarification of Label Documentation
shipping paper and contamination control requirements.
Reference: 02-0116, Letter from Hattie Mitchell to James Price, regarding clarification of
Dear Mr. Mazzullo,
SAIC produces a Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (Mobile VACIS), which
These syd mos inside a tal and international Truck, ang contripsand vel seni-
permanently mounted gauge device (Type A package) containing either a Cs-137 source
or a Co-60 source. The Cs-137 source has a maximum activity of 59GBq (*15%) and the
Co-60 source has a maximum activity of 37 GBq (‡ 25%). These devices have been
0215-D-103S and CA-0215-D-107S.
approved for use by Specific Licensees under Sealed Source and Device Registries CA-
The gauge housing is a DOT Type 7A package, and the source remains in the gauge
0116) a letter of clarification regarding the use of a single shipping paper, that remains
with the vehicle for its lifetime.
attach new hazard labels for each movement. The use of the < symbol allows the end
16701 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127

<<<PAGE 3>>>

user to have a consistent method for labeling and understanding the hazard levels
associated with the system. (There are over 70 Mobile systems in service).
SAIC noted that the regulations for labeling specified in 49 CFR 172.403 allow the use of
abbreviations for the source activity, but do not specify that for the T.I. value. Neither
section specifically address the use of the < symbol. Since the sources will typically stay
packaged for transport with the systems for between 8 to 15 years, it is understood that
the T.I. value and activity will decrease over time. However, labeling of the worst case
initial activity seemed the most prudent approach. SAIC is requesting clarification and
source activity for the permanent labels.
approval for the use of the < symbol for the maximum T.I. value and maximum initial
Thank you for your attention regarding this matter and should you have any additional
questions or concerns please contact me at your carliest convenience.
Linda
SAne Heath Physicist
Fax.:
Tel.:
(858) 826-9664
(858) 826-9224

<<<PAGE 4>>>

RADIOACTIVE II
CONTENTS: Cobalt-60
ACTIVITY: <37 GBq (1.0Ci)
< 1.0
TRANSPORT INDEX
7
Attachment 2

<<<PAGE 5>>>

RADIOACTIVE II
CONTENTS: Caesium-137
ACTIVITY: <59 GBq (1.6 Ci)
< 1.0
TRANSPORT INDEX
7
Attachment 1

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030071.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `ca7cf2b50550865a333815ca037d2a821aad6418f0dfa96eb69073009112069e`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T14:24:45.270Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-03-0071`

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