# Kinsbursky Brothers Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 99-0072  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 1999-04-20

99-0072 response to Kinsbursky Brothers Inc. concerning 173.240.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Research and
20590
Special Programs
Administration
APR: 2 O 1999
Mr. Paul D. Johnson
Director of Environmental Affairs
Ref..
No.
99-0072
Kinsbursky Brothers Inc.
1314 N. Lemon Street
Anaheim, CA
92801
Dear Mr. Johnson:
This is in response to your letter dated March 17, 1999
regarding the bulk packaging requirements under the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Specifically, you ask whether non-specification non-bulk
packagings of Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (UN2680) may be
further packaged in a sift-proof non-DOT specification closed
bulk bin, to satisfy S 173.240
The answer is yes. As provided in § 173.240, a non-
Tithium hydroxide monohydrate (UN2680). The fact that the
specification closed bulk bin is an authorized packaging for
material is already packaged in non-bulk packagings is not
relevant.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Thoma A. Allan
Thomas G. Allan
Senior Transportation Regulations Specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
990072
173.240

<<<PAGE 2>>>

KINSBURSKY
BROTHERS
Gale
March 17,1999
IN C
§123.240
Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
990072
USDOT-RSPA (DHM-10)
400 Seventh St. SW
Washington, D.C 20590-0001
Dear Mr. Mazzullo,
I am requesting a letter of interpretation from your office in order to clarify the packaging
regulations as they apply to bulk containers with inner packages.
Specifically, I am trying to prepare for transit, a load of LiOH (Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate,
solid, 8, UN2680, PGII) currently at a processing facility in Columbus, Ohio, packaged in non-
UN approved containers. I have arranged for the material to be shipped in a sift-proof non-DOT
specification portable closed bulk bin, as provided in 49 CFR §173.240 (see attached).
Mr. Todd Nash, from the Hazardous Material Information Center, has also suggested this method
of packaging. This reasoning is further supported by a letter from your office dated January 30,
1998 (see attached). In this letter, your office is addressing asbestos in a similar situation stating;
"As provided in § 173.240, a non-specification closed bulk bin is an authorized bulk packaging
for both of the described Class 9 materials. The fact that the material is already packaged in
bags is not relevant to this scenario".
Since 173.240 also applies to LiOH in bulk containers, it would seem one would come to the
same conclusion.
However, a misinformed gentleman in charge of the Ohio facility, has sent a letter stating that he
will not allow the LiOH to be loaded with out first receiving a letter from the Department
authorizing this type of shipment. The same gentleman is charging my firm a storage fee and
offering a repackaging service at a grossly inflated price. It is therefor imperative that I provide
documentation authorizing this type of packaging.
Your clarification on this matter is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact
my office at (714) 738-8516.
Paul D. Johnson
Director of Environmental affairs
Kinsbursky Brothers Inc
1314 N. Lemon Street Anaheim, California 92801 (714) 738-8516 (800) 548-8797 FAX (714) 441-0857

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990072.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `f7c3d426b4df0074ef593398a6541fb78168f1fd83b69f3cbb9141369c53c466`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T06:26:43.276Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0072`

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