Gulf Trading (Alabama), Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

Page 1of Transportation U.S. Department Research and NOV 21 2003 400 Soventh St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 Special Programs Administratior Mr. Mark Walker Sr. Vice President Reference No.: 03-0201 Gulf Trading (Alabama), Inc. 1100 Washington Ave., Suite 312 Carnegie, PA 15106-3617 Dear Mr. Walker: This is in response to your letter concerning the classification of Calcium Silicide under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You submitted test data based material contains 27.07% Calcium and 55.75% Silicon. It is your opinion that the material does on the classification criteria in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria which indicates your not meet the definition of a Division 4.3 Dangerous when wet material. Under § 173.22, it is the shipper's responsibility to classify a hazardous material. This office does not normally perform this function. However, based on the test data you submitted, it is the opinion of this office that your material does not meet the definition of a Division 4.3 material and provided it does not meet any other hazard class, it is not subject to the HMR. I hope this satisfies your inquiry. Sincerely, Hotle z. mither Hattie L. Mitchell Chiet, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Office of Hazardous Materials Standards 17322 030201#

Page 2Interpretation July 29, 2003 Corbin § /73.124 GULF TRADING Mr. Delmer Billings Classification GULF TRADING Chief Regulations Development (ALABAMA), ING. Office of Hazardous Materials Standards 03-0201 1100 Washington Ave. Pittsburgh Office 400 Seventh St. S.W. Suite 312 Washington, DC 20590 Phone Carnegie, PA 15106-3617 Fax (412) 276-6323 (412) 276-6311 Dear Mr. Billings, Email:gulfpitt@bellatlantic.net Gulf Trading (Alabama) has tested our Calcium Silicide at the laboratories of Andrew S. McCreath and Son, Inc. and we submit the test results for your review. It is our contention that our calcium silicide does not meet the criteria of a division 4.3 material under HMR: 49 CFR Parts 171-180. McCreath tested the material in accordance with the method described in Appendix E part 173 and their results are attached to this letter. We request that the department issue an exemption for our Calcium silicide. Thanking you in advance, I remain Sincerely y yours Mack flower Mark Walker Sr. Vice President 03 AUG |1 PM 3:20 DOT/RSPA HAZMAL SAFETY#

Page 307/29/2003: 15:37 17172384843 MCCREATH PAGE 02/03 610 Wilow Street Andren S. Melreath & Son, Ine. P.O. Box 1453 Harrisburg, PA 17105-1453 Telephone: (717) 238-9331 AMALYTICAL AND CORSULTING CHEMISTS Fax: (717) 238-4843 Telex: 84-2321 July 29,2003 Gulf Trading (Alabara), Inc. 1100 Washington Avenue - Suite 312 Carnegie, Pennsylvania • 15106-3617 Gentlemen: The sample received from you on July 24, 2003, identified as: Calcium Silicide, produced by China National Nonferrous Metals I/E Corp., Jiangsu Branch, was tested in accordance with DOT Standard 173, Appendix E, Division 4.3 (Dangerous when wet material). Results are as follows: Spontaneous Ignition Test Division 4.3 a (2) Division 4.3 a (1) No Spontaneous Ignition To Spontaneous Ignitio Division 43 a (3) No Spontaneous Ignitio Gas Evolution Measurement Total volume in MI each hour. Time Interval Test I Test 2 1 Hour 1.00 MI 1.50 MI 2 Hour 1.00 MI 1.50 MI 3 Hour 1.00 MI 1.50 MI 5 Hour 4 Hour 1.00 MI 1.50 MI 1.00 MI 1.50 Ml 6 Hour 1.00 MI 1.50 MI 7 Hour 1.00 M 1.50 MI Total 1.00 MI 1.50 MI#

Page 407/29/2003 15:37 17172384843 MCCREATH PAGE 03/03 Page No. 2 July 29, 2003 DOT Test Calcium Silicide Maximum Rate - 0.060 Liter/hour/kilogram Average Rate - 0.007 liter/how/kilogram Yours very truly, ANDREW S. MCCREATH & SON, INC. Lenge hala#