# The Pinehurst Office Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0191
- **title:** The Pinehurst Office Center — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-02-12
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0191 response to The Pinehurst Office Center concerning 173.150.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0191.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0191.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0191
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060191.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590
Pipeline and
lazardous Materials Safet
Idministratior
FEB 12 2007
Mr. Gary A. Peters
Ref. No. 06-0191
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-5151
Dear Mr. Peters,
This responds to your August 28, 2006 letter requesting clarification on the applicability
of the exception for aqueous solutions of alcohol in §173.150(e) under the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask whether the
alcohol solution you ship meets the provisions in §173.150(e), and whether §173.150(f)
has any impact on your shipment if transported by aircraft or vessel.
with greater than 75% water with a second ingredient, "Nonylphenoxy poly
According to your letter, your client ships a product containing 10% Isopropyl Alcohol
(etheleneoxy) ethanol," a nonionic surfactant-alkylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), which is not
a hazardous material under the HMR. This product has a flash point of 104° F, contains
no other hazardous materials, and is packaged in a 2.75 gallon container.
According to §173.150(e), an aqueous solution of alcohol may be reclassed as a
combustible liquid, and is not subject to the HMR when it contains 24% or less alcohol
information provided in your letter, it is the opinion of this Office that your alcohol
by volume, no other hazardous material, and more than 50% water. Based on the
solution does meet the provisions in §173.150(e) as an aqueous solution of alcohol, and is
not subject to the HMR when transported by all modes. However, if you choose to use
the exception in §173.150(f), transportation by aircraft or vessel is not authorized except
where other means of transportation is impracticable.
I hope this answers your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
173.150(e)
060191

<<<PAGE 2>>>

AUG-28-2006 14:15
Howard and Howard
248 645 1568
P.02/02
Ann Arbor Bloomfield Mills Kalamaxoo Poorin
Boothe
Howard & Howard
3173.150 (e)
law for business
Exceptions
06-0191
direct dial: 248 123.0490
Gary A. Peters
email: GPclors@howardandhoward.com
inois, Iowa and Pennsylvar
lso admitted to practice
August 28, 2006
Mr. Ed Mazzullo, Director
Via Fax (202) 366-3012
U.S. Department of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety
400 7th St., S. W.
Washington, DC 20590
RE: REVISED Letter of Clarification on Applicability of 49 CFR $173.150(e)
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
We are submitting this REVISED letter as a follow-up to my letter of August 23, 2006
to 49 CFR $173.150(e). This revised request reflects new information received from the
ne Hazardous Materals Regulation (HMR) or exempt as an
manufacturer regarding one of the constituents in the product.
have been informed by the manufacturer that the second ingredient, "Nonyiphenoxy pol
The product contains less than 10% of Isopropyl Alcohol and greater than 7:5% water. We
'ethyleneoxy Ethanol," is a nonionic surfactant-alkylphenol ethoxylate (or NPE) and is not a DOi
hazardous material. According to the manufacturer, this chemical was disclosed in the MSDS
surely for OSHA requirements under 29 CFR 1910.1200. The product has a flash point of 104°F
and contains no other hazardous materials. The product is packaged in a 2.75 gallon container.
product is subject to the HMR or whether this product is not regulated as a DOT hazardous material
Based on the foregoing description of this product, please clarify or confira whether this
solution of alcohol," does the following subsection, 49 CFR $173.150(f) - "Combustible liquids"
(i.e. not subject to the requirements of Subchapter C). It this product is not regulated as an "aqueous
have any impact on whether this product can still be shipped via aircraft or vessel?
Sincerely,
ARD &/IOWARD ATTORNEYS
shitty
The Pinchuret Office Conter, Suite 101, 39800 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills. MI 48301.5151
248.645.1483
Pax: 248.645. 1568
TOTAL P.02
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