# Wastewater, Soil & Gas Analysis Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 98-0518  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1998-02-19

98-0518 response to Wastewater, Soil & Gas Analysis Inc. concerning 173.115, 173.22.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

:
:
US Departmens
of transportation
Wastington, 0 C
Wassuper S5550
Research and
Special Programs
Administration
FER I 9 1693
Dr. Kuldeep Verma
Wastewater, Soil & Gas
Analysis
• Inc.
1868 Southfield Rd.
Lincoln Park, MI 48146
:
Deax Dx. Verma:
•panese -
This is in response to your letter xegarding the classification
"Tedlax" gas sampling bag, enclosed in a cardboard mailing tube
ot gas samples (blast fuxnace and coke oven gas) in a 1 liter
ox box. I apologize for the delay in responding and hope it has
The average pexcent composition of these gases is as follows:
Gases
Blast furnace das
Coke even gas
Hydzogen
6 - 8%
55 - 60₴
Oxygen
18
Nitxogen
45 - 55₴
Methane
1%
4 - 5*
CO
25₴
18 - 22%
4 - 57
CO2
19 - 20%
Ethylene
‹ 1%
Ethane
2%
< 1%
1%
Specifically, you asked whether the above-mentioned gas mixtures
axe flammable or nonflammable, and what UN numbers, labeling, and
shipping restrictions apply.
You did not províde sufficient information on these materials to
make a determination regarding classification. Undex 49 CER
hazardous matexial.
173.22, It is the shipper's responsibility to properly classify a
This office does
not perform that function.
The requirements for shipping hazardous materials (e.g., gas
49 CER Paxts
samples) are found in the Hazaxdous Materials Regulations (HMR;
171-180).
A list of suppliers is enclosed. Ihe HMR
address requirements for classification, packaging, preparation
of shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, emergency
response information, and training.

<<<PAGE 2>>>

• The definitions for a Division 2.1 (flammable) gas and a Division
3.2 (non-flammable) gas are located in 5 173:302: You may wish
both Division 2.1 and 2.2 axe found in
Packagings for
their proper classification.
to have these gas mixtures tested in a laboxatory to determine
assistance, please contact us.
I hope this information is helpful. If we can be of further
sincerely,
Delmex F. Billings
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulations Development
Enclosure

<<<PAGE 3>>>

03/87/1997 13:38
3133891639
WASTEWATER ANALYSIS
PAGE 01
* ..
sex
Engrum
File: 173.115
SC: 116,
195
Ph. 313 386 8180, Fax 313 389 1639
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo,
Director, Haz Met Standards
Department of Transportation,
Dear Mr. Mazzullo
We are specializing in analysis of blast furnace gas and coke oven gas (classified as
manufactured gases). We are trying to look into a possibility to do it by mail where
industrial clients shall fill gas sample in 1 liter Tediar gas sampling bag, enclose it in
a cardboard mailing tube or box and call UPS to pick up Although sample can reach
by ground but we prefer to receive it by airmail overnight so that results are faxed the
next day. The gas is filled under a low pressure of 2-3psi.
The average percent composition of these gases is as follows:
Blast furnace gas
Coke oven gas
Hydrogen
6 - 8%
55-60%
Oxygen
1%
1%
Nitrogen
45-55%
4-5%
Methane
cO
1%
25%
18-22%
4-5%
502
19-20%
3%
Ethylene
< 1%
2%
Ethane
< 1%
1%
I am told by an expert that manufactured mixed gases like blast furnace gas are
nonflammable but 1 need your advise. Which gas mixtures of above are classified as
flammable and nonflammable, their UN numbers, labelling and shipping restrictions
need to be clearly spelled out. What is required of the clients shipping these samples
to us ?. We would need written varliication of solutions to all of the
querrles, which can be faxed to us at 313 389 1639. Any relevant
published material be malled at above address.
Sincerely.
SAST
Dr. Kuldeop Verma,

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980518.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `92038f6caa4f138a964f708acb1ff68f15346ac43123425abe04d5def3636376`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T19:22:11.118Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-98-0518`

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