# Department of the Army — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 05-0119  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2005-11-08

05-0119 response to Department of the Army concerning 173.22.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
NOV
8 2005
Mr. Alvin Char
Ref. No. 05-0119
Headquarts, thied States Army Garrison, Havai
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii 96857-5000
Dear Mr. Char:
This is in response to your letter requesting clarification of the requirements under the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the
transportation of 100 percent methyl bromide liquid. Specifically, you asked whether
"Toxic liquids, corrosive, organic, n.o.s. (methyl bromide) inhalation hazard, PG I, Zone
B, 6.1, UN2927 (6.1, 8)" is an appropriate basic description for your material. You also
asked whether you must apply for an exemption to transport the methyl bromide liquid in
the packagings as described in your letter.
As a member of my staff explained in a telephone conversation to Mr. Gary Akasaki of
your staff, methyl bromide is not correctly classified as a Division 6.1 (poisonous/toxic)
material and, therefore, UN2927 is not a correct assignment. Methyl bromide meets the
defining criteria in § 173.115 for a Division 2.3 (gas poisonous/toxic by inhalation)
material. Based on the information contained in your letter, "Methyl bromide, 2.3,
UN1062" is the most appropriate basic description and § 173.193 is the correct packaging
authorization section for your material; therefore, the packagings, as described in your
letter, are not authorized for methyl bromide.
With regard to the use of packagings not authorized under § 173.193, as explained to Mr.
Akasaki, you may wish to apply for an exemption (special permit) through the
Department of Transportation's Exemptions and Approvals Office at 202/366-4535.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office should you have additional
questions.
Sincerely,
Thate I. Mittell
Hattie L. Mitchell, Chief
Office of Hazardous Materials Standard
Legulatory Review and Reinventio
173.22
050119

<<<PAGE 2>>>

05/12/05 THU 06:31 FAX 808 656 1039
ENV DIV DPW
Ø001
MCIntyre
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY GARRISON, HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
$/73.22
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII 96857-5000
Classification
ATTENTION OF
REPLY TO
MAY 1 1 2005
05-0119
Directorate of Public Works
5
Mr. Edward Mazzullo
OPTIONAL FORM 99(7-90)
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
FAX TRANSMITTAL
* of pages •
Research and Special Programs Administration
Attn: DHM-10
Dop. AROT
Phone i,
400 7* Street SW
U.S. Department of Transportation
# (202) 366-3012
(808) 6781656-2878
nozz
Washington, District of Columbia 20590-0001
NSN 7340-01-317-7369
5099-101
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
We have contacted your office on several occasions regarding the proper DOT packaging for the
transportation of 100% Methyl Bromide Liquid (MBL) contained in glass vials, to a Treatment,
DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center was to ship the MBL under the proper shipping name
(PSN), Methyl Bromide, 2.3, UN1062. However, the MBL in its original packaging is a sealed glass
vial (see pictures at the enclosure). The temperatures of the MBL varied from 76 degrees Fahrenheit
(F) to 77 degrees F (see pictures at the enclosure) and cannot meet the packaging paragraphs
referenced in 173.193 as a liquefied poisonous gas in cylinders since the temperatures were above 68
degrees F. The MBL is a corrosive and does not contain 14.7 pounds per square inch of pressure in
cach vial.
Since there is no separate entry in the Hazardous Materials Table for the MBL it seems that the
most accurate PSN is Toxic, liquids, corrosive, organic, n.o.s. (Methyl Bromide) Inhalation Hazard,
Packing Group I, Zone B, 6.1, UN2927, (6.1, 8).
- Product Description:
approximately 5 ½ inches in length and ¾ inch in diameter. In the 1940's Abbott Laboratories,
The hazardous material is sealed in glass vials filled with 100% MBL. The vials are
ommercially, however, these companics are no longer in business
MERCK. & Company, and Tedlee Company manufactured the MBL and distributed the pesticid
Current Packaging Configuration:
There are a total of 101 MBL vials stored in 3 open head drums. Specific packaging configuration
follows:
- Drum #1 (1) each 55 gallon drum, open head stecl X-rated drum
(UNIA2/X400/S/UN1A2/Y1.5/150/USA/SDCC), 99 LBS, containing (2) cach 10 gallon open head
Y-rated drums (UN1A2/Y43/S/004/USA/M4723) with cushioning absorbent pads (drums 1AA and
1AB).

<<<PAGE 3>>>

05/12/05
THU 06:31 FAX 808 656 1039
ENV DIV DPW
0002
- Drum #IAA contains (30) MBL vials individually packaged in 2 plastic ziploc bags placed
into a cardboard tube (1/8 " thickness, @ 8"L × 1.75"Diameter(D)) with plastic end caps. The (30)
each cardboard tubes are placed into the 10 gallon open head drum with vermiculite.
- Drum #1AB contains (29) MBL vials individually packaged in 2 plastic ziploc bags placed
into a cardboard tube (1/8 " thickness, @ 8"L × 1.75"D) with plastic end caps. The (29) eac
ardboard tubes are placed into the 10 gallon open head drum with vermiculite
- Drum #2 (1) each 20 gallon open head steel X-rated drum
(UN1A2/X400/S&A/Y1.4/150/USA/GBC10/35703), 52 LBS., containing (1) each 10 gallon open
head Y-rated drum (UN1A2/Y42/S/04/USA/M4723) cushioned with vermiculite (drum 2AA).
- Drun #2AA contains (28) MBL vials individually packaged in 2 plastic ziploc bags placed
into a cardboard tube (1/8" thickness, @ 8"L × 1.75"D) with plastic end caps. Tho (28) each
cardboard tubes are placed into the 10 gallon open head drum with vermiculite.
- Drum #3 (1) each 10 gallon open head steel X-rated drum
(UN1A2/Y1.2/100/03/USA/M4035/UN1A2/X100/S/03/USA/M4035), 29 LBS., containing (1) each
vermiculite (drum 3AA).
5 gallon open head plastic Y-rated drum (UNIH2/Y25/S/03/USA+AA2492) cushioned with
- Drum #3AA contains (13) each MBL glass vials packaged in a canvas bag (cushioning
males in vade ly a caged in 2 pes a ploed spaced into a car boar lad i tikach glass
@8"H × 1.75"W) with plastic end caps. The containers are placed into the 5 gallon open head
Y-rated plastic drum with vermiculite (see pictures at the enclosure).
- Questions:
- Can the MBL be transported using the PSN Toxic liquids, corrosive, organic, n.o.s. (Methyl
- Does the current packaging configuration meet DOT specifications?
Bromide) Inhalation Hazard, Packing Group I, Zone B, 6.1, UN2927, (6.1, 8)?
- Is a DOT Exemption required to ship the MBL?
This memorandum will be forwarded to you via electronic mail, fax, and U.S Postal Service. Your
expeditious review and comment is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions please contact Mr.
Gary Akasaki/Mr. Fabian Kahiamoe, Environmental Division at 656-2878X1022/656-2878X1023
respectively.
Sincerely,
Aul Dody
Enclosures
Alvin Char
Chief, Environmental Division
Directorate of Public Works
2

<<<PAGE 4>>>

05/12/05
THU 06:32 FAX 808 656 1039
ENV DIV DPW
0003
Temperature readings of MBL

<<<PAGE 5>>>

05/12/05
THU 06:32 FAX 808
656 1039
ENV DIV DPW
4004
Temperature readings of MBL

<<<PAGE 6>>>

05/12/05
THU 06:32 FAX 808
656
1039
ENV DIV DPW
44005
Inner canvas bag and outer box
Drum #3

<<<PAGE 7>>>

05/12/05
THU 06:32 FAX 808
656
1039
ENV DIV DPW
4006
422
10 gallon open head inner Y rated drum
HAZARDOU:
MASTE
3 cach X rated open head outer drums

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050119.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `ede8a991c42ddc7e7d486c4d619da6e2c8d21df0d580e9d555b1e23ba166a416`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T14:58:21.185Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-05-0119`

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