# Applied Specialties Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation **Citation:** 99-0160 **Type / status:** guidance / guidance **Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration **Effective:** Not stated **Published:** 1999-08-04 99-0160 response to Applied Specialties Inc. concerning 173.22. ## Document text <<>> of Transportation U.S. Department 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 Research and Administration special Programs AUG 4 1999 Ms. Adrienne B. Scheurman Ref. No. 99-0160 Applied Specialties Inc. 33555 Pin Oak Parkway Avon Lake, OH 44012 Dear Ms. Scheurman: This is in response to your letter dated June 7, 1999, regarding the proper classification of your ammonium hydroxide solution under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171- meets the definition of a corrosive material in Packing Group II, 180). Specifically, as stated in your letter, your material under S$ 173.136 and 173.137. Under § 173.22, it is the shipper's responsibility to properly classify a hazardous material. Such determinations are not required to be verified by this Office. However, based on your analysis that the material would meet the definition of a corrosive material in Packing Group II, you are correct in your determination that "Ammonia solutions, 8, UN 2672, PG III" is not Section 172.101 (c) (12) (i) states that a material shall be described by an appropriate proper shipping name listed in association with the correct hazard class, packing group, hazard zone, or subsidiary hazard for the material. If your material meets the defining criteria of a packing group II, corrosive material, you must describe your material using a proper shipping name that is associated with the correct hazard class and packaging group such as "Corrosive liquid, basic, inorganic n.o.s." I hope this satisfies your request. Sincerely, John Gale Transportation Regulations Specialist Office of Hazardous Materials Standards 173.22 990160 <<>> APPLIED SPECIALTIES INC. Phone Number 440/933-9442 Fax Number 440/933-9439 BAH $173.22 Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo Director of the Office of Hazardous Material Standards US DOT 99-0160 400 7* St. SW Flash RSPA (DHM-10) Washington, DC 20590-0001 June 7, 1999 Letter of Interpretation Dear Mt. Mazzullo; Any assistance or direction in helping us properly classify an Aqueous Ammonia Solution for shipment would be appreciated. The current Hazardous Material Table (CFR 49 172.101) indicates that "Ammonia solutions, relative density between 0.880 and 0.957 at 15 degrees C in water, with more than 10 percent but not more than 35 percent ammonia" are classified as a Hazard Class 8, packaging group WII, Corrosive. The table does not address solutions less than 10%. Our product contains demineralized water and 1.26% Ammonium Hydroxide by weight. The results of a Corrositex test indicated a breakthrough time of 26 minutes that according to this testing procedure would classify it as a corrosive packaging group II. A repeat test indicated the same values. A sample was sent to InVitro International, the manufacturer of Corrositex. Their report, see attached copy, indicates the same results. Due to a change in the packaging group, it is our understanding that we cannot call this an ammonia solution. A chemist at DOT with whom we spoke recommended that we call it "Corrosive liquid, basic, inorganic, n.o.s., (contains Ammonium Hydroxide)". A review of information from various suppliers of "Corrosive, Packaging Group II". Based on the chemistry of ammonia, we do not understand how a dilute ammonia solutions indicate they use a DOT classifications ranging from "Non-regulated" to dilute solution can carry a more stringent packaging classification than more concentrated solutions. Can you provide an interpretation of the correct way that DOT would want this product classified? i l you ruin a our interaction or speciation on the product, prato do a heat to contacte very much appreciated. .B.Scheurmat Compliance Manager cc. H. Garcia Chemist R. Ymmer In Vitro International 33555 Pin Oak Parkway Avon Lake, Ohio 44012 ## Provenance - Official: Yes - Source: - Source ID: `phmsa` - SHA-256: `e082b25a5724d9e22b165dc12472e0ecbb013ced4111c5d7566fa6d8bed3cf2e` - Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z - Exported: 2026-08-22T06:26:46.250Z - Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0160` ### Source metadata ```json { "materialSubtype": "interpretation", "interpretationArea": "hazardous_materials", "representation": "full_text_from_official_pdf", "companies": [ "Applied Specialties Inc." ], "individuals": [ "Ms. Adrienne B. 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