# Photographic Solutions, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 05-0304  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2006-01-17

05-0304 response to Photographic Solutions, Inc. concerning 175.10.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

JAN 17 2006
Mr. David Stone
Ref. No. 05-0304
Photographic Solutions, Inc.
7 Granston Way
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Dear Mr. Stone:
This is in response to your November 28, 2005 letter requesting clarification of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Your company
produces a liquid cleaning solution used by photographers. The cleaning solution
consists of 100% purified methanol, and is packaged in 2 oz. (59 mL) plastic receptacles.
Specifically, you ask if passengers may transport your company's product in checked or
carry-on baggage aboard aircraft.
A passenger may not transport a hazardous material in checked or carry-on baggage
unless the material meets one of the exceptions in § 175.10. Methanol is listed in the
Hazardous Materials Table (HMT; § 172.:01) as a Class 3 (Flammable liquid) material,
and does not meet any of the exceptions specified in § 175.10. Therefore, your product is
not permitted to be carried aboard an aircraft in a passenger's checked or carry-on
baggage under the HMR.
Sincerely,
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
175.10
050304

<<<PAGE 2>>>

25-0304
Dear USDOT,
My company sells a liquid cleaner (called Eclipse) consisting of 100% purified methanol
sold in 2 oz (59mL) plastic dropper bottle containers. It is used by professional and amatuer
photographers in conjunction with our Sensor Swab Digital Imaging Chip Cleaner (a fancy
Q-tip with no chemicals). A new, unopened bottle has a foil seal across the neck designed
to be leak proof and a plastic screw cap to protect the seal. The cap must be turned
approximately 2 full rotations to be removed. The bottle is a white HDPE plastic which is
impervious to the chemical.
As many of these photographers need to travel, and need to carry a cleaning kit with them to
use while shooting, the question has come up as to whether or not such a container would
be permissible to bring in carry-on or in checked luggage. It appears that some TSA
checkpoints do not allow it and others look at the container and have no issue with it.
I am hoping that DOT can clarify in writing its position so I can advise my customers
accordingly.
An MSDS and other product information can be found on our company web site at :
http://www.photosol.com
or please feel free to contact me at (508) 759 2322.
Thank-you.
David M. Stone, PHOTOGRAPHIC SOLUTIONS, INC.
http://www.phetosol.com
7 Granston Way Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
(508) 759-2322 phone; E.S.T or E. D. T.
use this i-name to contact me personally. It is spam proof!!!
http://public.xdi.org/=David.Stone
11/28/2005

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2005/050304.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `76b7cad8727f7f2c529b5886f8728b1a8a8801fcc0c65dde43078d94f252cd46`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T10:32:53.419Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-05-0304`

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