{"operation":"document","citation":"03-0071","title":"SAIC Health Physicist — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2003-04-16","effective_on":null,"summary":"03-0071 response to SAIC Health Physicist concerning 173.403.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0071.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0071.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-03-0071","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2003/030071.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nJ.S. Department\n400 Seventh St., S.W.\nSpecial Programs\nResearch and\nAPR 16 2003\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nAdministration\nMs. Linda G. Bray\nSAIC Health Physicist\nReference No. 03-0071\n16701 West Bernardo Drive\nSan Diego, CA 92127\nDear Ms. Bray:\nThis responds to your letter requesting clarification of the labeling requirements under the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You ask if the \"activity\" and\n\"transport index\" values, when required on a RADIOACTIVE label, may be expressed as less\nthan (<) the maximum initial starting value. You state that you wish to use permanent labels on a\nType A package installed in a Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (Mobile VACIS)\nand that the \"activity\" and \"transport index\" values decrease over a time period of between 8 to\n15 years. You also reference a previous clarification letter regarding the use of a permanent\nshipping paper that remains with the vehicle for its life time (Reference No. 02-0116, June 4,\nThe answer to your question is no. There are no provisions in the HMR to express the value of\nthe \"activity\" or the \"transport index\" of a RADIOACTIVE label in a manner other than the\nactual value. Our letter of clarification regarding the permanent shipping paper states that the\nsame shipping paper may remain with the Mobile VACIS for its lifetime provided the content\n(including quantity) of the Type A package remains the same and the Type A package is not\nreshipped or transferred to another vehicle. If the content (including quantity) of the Type A\npackage changes (i.e. decreases over time), a new shipping paper would have to be prepared and\nnew RADIOACTIVE labels reflecting the decreased \"activity\" and \"transport index\" affixed to\nthe Type A package. Since radioactive material decays, we suggest that you may wish to prepare\na new shipping paper and affix a new label reflecting the new level of activity periodically.\nI hope this satisfies your request.\nSincerely\nHothe 2. mitheel\nHattie L. Mitchell\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\n030071\n113\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nCorbin\nAIC.\n$173.403\nScience Applications International Corporation\nAn Employee-Owned Company\n_abeline\nMarch 4, 2003\n13-0071\nEdward Mazzullo\nDirector Office of Hazardous Material Standards\nUSDOT/RSPA (DHM)-10\n400 Seventh St. S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\nSubject: Request for Clarification of Label Documentation\nshipping paper and contamination control requirements.\nReference: 02-0116, Letter from Hattie Mitchell to James Price, regarding clarification of\nDear Mr. Mazzullo,\nSAIC produces a Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System (Mobile VACIS), which\nThese syd mos inside a tal and international Truck, ang contripsand vel seni-\npermanently mounted gauge device (Type A package) containing either a Cs-137 source\nor a Co-60 source. The Cs-137 source has a maximum activity of 59GBq (*15%) and the\nCo-60 source has a maximum activity of 37 GBq (‡ 25%). These devices have been\n0215-D-103S and CA-0215-D-107S.\napproved for use by Specific Licensees under Sealed Source and Device Registries CA-\nThe gauge housing is a DOT Type 7A package, and the source remains in the gauge\n0116) a letter of clarification regarding the use of a single shipping paper, that remains\nwith the vehicle for its lifetime.\nattach new hazard labels for each movement. The use of the < symbol allows the end\n16701 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127\n\n<<<PAGE 3>>>\n\nuser to have a consistent method for labeling and understanding the hazard levels\nassociated with the system. (There are over 70 Mobile systems in service).\nSAIC noted that the regulations for labeling specified in 49 CFR 172.403 allow the use of\nabbreviations for the source activity, but do not specify that for the T.I. value. Neither\nsection specifically address the use of the < symbol. Since the sources will typically stay\npackaged for transport with the systems for between 8 to 15 years, it is understood that\nthe T.I. value and activity will decrease over time. However, labeling of the worst case\ninitial activity seemed the most prudent approach. SAIC is requesting clarification and\nsource activity for the permanent labels.\napproval for the use of the < symbol for the maximum T.I. value and maximum initial\nThank you for your attention regarding this matter and should you have any additional\nquestions or concerns please contact me at your carliest convenience.\nLinda\nSAne Heath Physicist\nFax.:\nTel.:\n(858) 826-9664\n(858) 826-9224\n\n<<<PAGE 4>>>\n\nRADIOACTIVE II\nCONTENTS: Cobalt-60\nACTIVITY: <37 GBq (1.0Ci)\n< 1.0\nTRANSPORT INDEX\n7\nAttachment 2\n\n<<<PAGE 5>>>\n\nRADIOACTIVE II\nCONTENTS: Caesium-137\nACTIVITY: <59 GBq (1.6 Ci)\n< 1.0\nTRANSPORT INDEX\n7\nAttachment 1","truncated":false,"body_characters":4765}