# Aristech Chemical Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 01-0250
- **title:** Aristech Chemical Corporation — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2001-10-16
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 01-0250 response to Aristech Chemical Corporation concerning 173.140.
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- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2001/010250.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

IS. Departmen
Nashington, D.C.
100 Seventh Street, S.W
f Transportatio
20590
Special Programs
Research and
Administration
OCT 16 2001
Mr. Mike Alston
Reference No: 01-0250
Manager
Regulatory Compliance-Chemicals
Aristech Chemical Corporation
200 Neville Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15225
Dear Mr. Alston:
This is in response to your letter concerning the proper shipping name for phthalic anhydride
with less than .05 % maleic anhydride. Specifically you asked whether you should describe
the material as "Elevated temperature liquid, n.o.s., (phthalic anhydride), 9, UN 3257, !!!,
3082, MI, RQ." The phthalic anhydride has a reportable quantity of 5000 pounds and is
RO" or "Hot Environmentally hazardous substances, n.o.s., (phthalic anhydride), 9, UN
shipped at a temperature of 280 °F, which is below the material's flashpoint of 305 °F.
Either shipping name may be used. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR
parts 171-180) state that a material not specifically identified by name in the Hazardous
Materials Table must be described by the shipping name that "most appropriately describes"
the material (see § 172.101(c)(12)(ii)). In some cases, more than one shipping name could
"most appropriately describe" a material. In those instances, a shipper has the discretion to
decide which shipping name to use.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Transportation Regulations Specialist.
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
010250

<<<PAGE 2>>>

SUNDED
200 Neville Road
Corbin
Chemicals
Pittsburgh, PA 15225
$/73.140
Definition
September 18, 2001
01-0250
Research and Special Programs Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Washington, DC 20590
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Attn: Mr. Ed Mazzullo
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
tank car and was asked to write a letter to RSPA to resolve the matter. The material is phthalic anhydride
Recently I was questioned on the proper classification of one of the products we manufacture and ship by
with less than .05% maleic anhydride and; therefore, not specifically listed in §$ 172.101. Phthalic
he flash point of 305 F. The basic description that I use to classify the material is
Anhydride has a reportable quantity of 5000 Ibs and is shipped at a temperature of 280 F, which is belov
Elevated Temperature Liquid, NOS, (phthalic anhydride) 9, UN3257, LI, RQ
I was informed that the correct classification should be:
Hot Environmentally Hazardous Substances, NOS, (phthalic anhydride), 9, UN3082, ILI, RQ
regulation $$173.140, a definition of a class 9 material is a material which presents a hazard during
Although I see the merit to the latter classification, I believe that the original classification is correct. By
transportation but which does not meet the definition of any other hazard class. This includes: §§173.140
aterial, a hazardous substance, a hazardous waste, or a marine pollutant. I view the elevated temperatu
) Any material that meets the definition in §§171.8 of this subchapter for an elevated temperatu
characteristic to pose the immediate danger and therefore I believe that the current classification as an
Could you please comment on this.
Elevated Temperature Liquid is correct.
Regards
Mike Alston
Mgr-Regulatory Compliance-Chemicals
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