# Onyx Environmental Services L.L.C. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 99-0255  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2000-04-12

99-0255 response to Onyx Environmental Services L.L.C. concerning 173.21.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

Washington, D.C.
400 Seventh Street. S.W.
20590
lesearch an
Administration
special Program
APR 1 2 2000
Ms. Lauren Malone
Ref. No. 99-0255
Onyx Environmental Services L.L.C.
Roxbury Business Park
1705 Route 46 West, Unit #2
Ledgewood, NJ 07852
Dear Ms. Malone:
This is in response to your telephone conversation and follow up letter dated September 3, 1999, to
Dr. Richard Tarr of the Office of Hazardous Materials Exemptions and Approvals requesting
clarification on the hazard class and transportation of forbidden materials that are stabilized or diluted
under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
Your understanding of the provisions addressing forbidden materials per your conversation with
Dr. Tarr is correct and is further clarified. As stated in your letter, if any specifically listed, pure,
forbidden material is stabilized or diluted to reduce or eliminate the hazards, it is then no longer
considered a forbidden material. It is your responsibility to ensure it is stabilized, classed and
transported in accordance with the HMR. Organic peroxides, explosives, and self reactive materials
always require formal approval from the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. For
other than these materials, no formal approval or authorization is required from DOT to dilute, stabilize,
and transport the material. The proper shipping name "nitrobromobenzene" does not apply to stabilized
and diluted "1-bromo-3-nitrobenzene" since it no longer meets the definition for Division 6.1. A
solution of 90% ethanol, 10% 1-bromo-3-nitrobenzene presents a flammability hazard, therefore, the
proper shipping description "Flammable liquids, n.o.s., (ethanol and nitrobromobenzene), 3, UN 1993,
PG II" is appropriate.
I hope this further clarifies and answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
mintpells
Delmer F. Billings
Chief, Standards Development
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.21
990255

<<<PAGE 2>>>

:
Boothe
VONYX
8173,21
ONYX ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES L.L.C. 99-0255
September 3, 1999
Richard Tarr
MPTIONS
Exemptions and Approvals Branch
Department of Transportation
Room 8100
400 Seventh Street
PHIl: 16
Southwest Washington, D.C. 20590
Dear Mr. Tarr,
As we agreed, I am sending you a summary of our telephone conversation on August 23, 1999
for your records.
If any specifically listed, pure, forbidden material is stabilized or diluted to reduce or
eliminate the hazards, it is then no longer considered a forbidden material
•
Once the material has been stabilized and/or diluted and is no longer considered a
forbidden material, it is our responsibility to ensure the new material is stabilized,
reclassified and transported in accordance with the applicable regulations.
No formal approval or authorization is required from DOT to dilute, stabilize, and transport
the material.
•
The DOT ship name nitrobromobenzene would not apply to stabilized and diluted 1-
bromo-3-nitrobenzene since it no longer meets the definition of hazard class 6.1. A
solution of 90% ethanol, 10% 1-bromo-3-nitrobenzene (for dilution) would present a
flammability hazard, therefore the proper shipping name Flammable liquids, n.o.s.,
(ethanol and nitrobromobenzene) 3.1, UN1993, PG III would reflect this hazard.
If you have any additional comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Laver Malone
Lauren Malone
Technical Research Specialist
ROXBURY BUSINESS PARK • 1705 ROUTE 46 WEST • UNIT #2 • LEDGEWOOD, NJ 07852
TEL.973.448 2884 FAX 973.691.3978

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1999/990255.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `f0966cd42d9b925a1ce6c5087484fe7043f3bb9c745b1366b327427789c2d921`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-24T19:54:54.241Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-99-0255`

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