# Applied Biosystems — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 07-0020  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2007-02-28

07-0020 response to Applied Biosystems concerning 172.101, 173.150.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of T-ansportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Materials Safety Administration
Pipeline and Hazardous
FEB 28
2007
Ms. Connie Roxas
Ref. No. 07-0020
Quality and Regulatory Compliance
850 Lincoln Centre Drive
Applied Biosystems
Foster City, CA
• 94404-1128
Dear Ms. Roxas:
This responds to your February 1, 2007 letter requesting clarification on proper shipping
descriptions under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Specifically, you ask if two aqueous solutions of alcohol described in your letter are
eligible for the exception in § 173.150(e).
In accordance with § 173.150(e), aqueous solutions of alcohol containing 24% or less
alcohol by volume and no other hazardous materials: (1) may be reclassed as a
combustible liquid; and (2) are not subject to the requirements of the HMR if they
contain no less than 50% water. According to your letter, both of your solutions of
alcohol contain less than 24% alcchol by volume, no other hazardous materials, and also
contain more than 50% water. Based on the information provided in your letter, it is the
opinion of this Office that the two aqueous solutions of alcohol described in your letter
are not subject to the requirements of the HMR.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Office of hazardous Materials Standards
172.101
173.150 (e)
070020

<<<PAGE 2>>>

Boothe
3172.101
Applied
$ 173.150 (e)
Biosystems
an Applera Corporation Business
Shipping Name
Foster City, CA 94404-1128 U.S.A
850 Lincoln Centre Drive
0-0020
T. 650 570 6667 F. 650 572 2743
February 1, 2007
www.appliedbiosystems.com
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
400 7th Street S.W.
U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
Dear Sir or Madam:
and marine transport. These solutions are used to ship slurry (16% w/v) of non-hazardous
We are requesting a shipping clarification on two solutions that we manufacture and sell globally for air, ground
chromatography media.
We need to know if these two solutions are exempt under Section 173.150(e).
Solution #1 - Flashpoint: 97 °F (Method ASTM D-93) (closed cup)
Trade secret - non
Material
0.71%
w/V%
hazardous chemical
hazardous chemical
Trade secret - non
0.39%
w/v%
Water
Ethanol
22.00%
Total
100.00%
76.90%
V/N%
V/V%
Solution #2 - Flashpoint: 97 °F (Method ASTM D-93) (closed cup)
Ethanol
Material
22.0%
Ratio
Water
78.0%
V/V%
Total
100.00%
v/v%
All are shipped in non-bulk packaging.
Sincerely,
Corrie foxas
Sr. Dangerous Goods Specialist
Connie Roxas
Quality and Regulatory Compliance

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070020.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `d17c4ecb74e1219df68bf0c36741ed5b3b37696e150eeae245f13c6253621d47`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-23T10:57:35.486Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-07-0020`

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