# Currie Industrial Services, LLC — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 06-0248
- **title:** Currie Industrial Services, LLC — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2007-01-04
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 06-0248 response to Currie Industrial Services, LLC concerning 173.22.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0248.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0248.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-06-0248
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2006/060248.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

.S. Departmen
f Transportation
JAN - 4 2007
Washirgton, D.C. 20590
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Pipeline and
Administration
Hazardous Materials Safety
Mr. Allan B. Currie, Jr.
Currie Industrial Services, LLC
Owner
Ref. No. 06-0248
12019 Pink Street
Brooklyn, MI 49230
Dear Mr. Currie:
This is in response to your October 13, 2006 letter regarding the hazard classification of
"Biodiesel" (e.g., "Soybean Methyl Ester"), and "Crude Glycerin," commonly referred to
as "Glycerol," under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180).
You also ask whether the registration requirements of the HMR are applicable to any
person who offers for transportation or transports these products in commerce.
According to your letter, Biodiesel is produced through a chemical process
(transesterification) where a feedstock, such as soybean oil, is reacted with an alcohol, such
as methanol, in the presence of a catalyst. The alcohol is recovered for reuse, leaving
behind two products: (1) fatty acid methyl esters of soybean oil consisting of the following
single component methyl esters: C16:0(10%), C18:0(5%), C18:1(23%) C18:2(54%),
Crude Glycerin are 321°F- 425 °F and 320 °F, respectively. You further state your review
C18:3(8%); and (2) Crude Glycerin. You state that the flash points for Biodiesel and
of several Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each material indicates that neither
product contains a hazardous material as defined by the Occupational Safety and. Health
Administration (OSHA). You enclosed an MSDS for each material.
hazardous material in accordance with Parts 172 and 173 of the HMR, and to determine
As required under § 173.22, a shipper is required to properly class and describe the
that the packaging or container is an authorized packaging in accordance with Part 173.
in your letter, your material does not appear to be subject to the HMR, including the
This Office does not perform this function. However, based on the information provided
registration requirements specified under § 107.601
107.601
113.22
060248

<<<PAGE 2>>>

For clarification, a "hazardous material" is defined in § 171.8 of the HMR, and is a
substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of
has been designated as hazardous under § 5103 of Federal hazardous materials
posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce,
transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103).
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
/ Cffice of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Standards Development

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Foster
$101.612
CURRIE INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, LLC
12019 Pink Street
Brooklyn, MI 49230
Regstation
06-0248
Octobet 13, 2006
Mr. Edward T. Mazzullo
Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
400 7th Street S.W.
RE: DOT Hazardous Materials Registration
Biodiesel Production
49 CFR, Part 107 Applicability Request
Dear Mr. Mazzullo:
crude glycerin in which U.S. DOT has no apparent nor established opinions. Therefore, I am herein
We have recently been confronted with an issue related to transportation of biodiesel and
requesting that U.S. DOT provide a written opinion based on the facts set forth below as to whether
biodiesel and/or crude glycerin are regulated as defined hazardous materials
Background
The production of biodiesel (e.g., soybean methyl ester) is made through a chemical process
glycerin, which is a valuable byproduct used in the manufacture of soaps and other products.
Biodiesel refers to the pure fatty acid methyl ester fuel as opposed to a blend of biodiesel
and petroleum diesel fuel, which are typically designated as "BXX", whereby the "XX" denotes the
petroleum diesel).
percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (i.e., B20 is comprised of 20% biodiesel and 80%
Soyate. Crude Glycerin (C.A.S. 56-81-5) is commonly referred to as simply Glycercil. The review
Biodiesel (C.A.S. No.: 67784-80-9) is also referted as B100, Soy Methyl Ester, and Methyl
of several material safety data sheets for these products indicates that neither product contains a
examined in our review did not define an established DOT shipping name or identification number
hazardous material as that term is defined by OSHA. Likewise, the material safety data sheets
for these products. The flash point of these materials are 321°-425°F and 320°F respectively.

<<<PAGE 4>>>

Mr. Mazzullo
Cictober 13, 2006
Page 2
49CFR, Part 107.601 Applicability
of 49 CFR, Part 107.601, which apply to any person who offer the following materials for
In attempting to resolve this issue, we have examined the registration and fee requirements
transportation, or transports these materials, in foreign, interstate or intrastate comerce:
(1) A highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive) material, as defined in $ 173.403
of this chapter;
(2) More than 25 kg (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 (explosive) material (see $ 173.50 of
this chapter) in a motor vehicle, rail car or freight container;
(3) More than one L (1.06 quarts) per package of a material extremely toxic by inhalation (ie.,"
for " hazard zone A," as specified in SS 173.116(a) or 173.133(a) of this chapter).
material poisonous by inhalation," as defined in § 171.8 of this chapter, that teets the criteri
(4) A shipment of a quantity of hazardous materials in a bulk packaging (see § 171.8 of this chapter)
having a capacity equal to or greater than 13,248 L (3,500 gallons) for liquids or gases or more
than 13.24 cubic meters (468 cubic feet) for solids;
(5) A shipset in other us an a bul packaging pol 2068 5.00 plai) gross wright or mine of
required for that class, under the provisions of subpart F of part 172 of this chapter; or
(6) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a quantity of hazardous material that requires
placarding, under provisions of subpart E of part 172 of this chapter.
With respect to the applicability criteria cited above, the term "hazardous material" is defined as:
unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has designated
a substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable oj posing an
as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C.
5103). The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated
temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table (see 49
part 173 of subchapter C of this chapter (emphasis added).
CFR 172.101), and materials that meet the defining criteria for hazard classes and aivisions in
regard, the term "hazardous substance" is defined as a material, including its mixtures and solutions,
The implementing rules also provide clarification to the underlined terms cited above. In that
(1) Is listed in the Appendix A to S 172.101 of this subchapter;
(2) Is in a quantity, in one package, which equals or exceeds the reportable quantity (R) 'isted in the
(3) When in a mixture or solution-
Appendix A to $ 172.101 of this subchapter; and
(i) For radionuclides, conforms to paragraph 7 of the Appendix A to S 172.101.
(i) For otber than radionuclides, is in a concentration by weight which equals or exceeds the
concentration corresponding to the RQ of the material, as shown in the following table:
RQ pounds (kilograms)
Concentration by weight
Percent
PPM
5000(2270)
10
100,000

<<<PAGE 5>>>

Nir: Mazzullo
October 13, 2006
Page 3
1000(454)
20,000
10(4.54)
100(45.4)
10.02
2,000
200
[1 (0.454)
10.002
20
The term does not include petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof which is not otherurse specifically listed
r designated as a hazardous substance in Appendix A to S 172.101 of this subchapter, and the term does noi
nilude natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel (or mixtures of natura
ga: and such synthetic gas).
Appendix A to § 172.101 _lists materials and their corresponding reportable quantities (RQ's)
that are listed or designated as " hazardous substances" under section 101(14) of the Comprehensive
U.S.C. 9601 et seq). Appendix A is divided into two tables entitled " TABLE 1 HAZARDOUS
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601(14) (CERCLA; 42
SUBSTANCES OTHER THAN RADIONUCLIDES" and " TABLE 2-RADIONUCLIDES." A
naterial listed in Appendix A is regulated as a hazardous material and a hazardous substance unde
his subchapter if it meets the definition of a hazardous substance in $ 171.8 of this subchapte:
Hazardous waste, is defined as any material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements
ofth: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specified in 40 CFR part 262.
Appendix B to $ 172.101 lists potential marine pollutants as defined in $ 171.8.
Elevated temperature material, is defined as a material which, when offered for transportation or
(212°F); or (2) is in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 37.8 °C" (100°F) tha: is intentionally
transported in a bulk packaging: (1) is in a liquid phase and at a temperature at or above 100°C
heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point; or (3) is in a solid
phase and at a temperature at or above 240°C (464°F).
49 CFR, Part 172 contains the DOT hazardous materials table referred to in the definition.
The following table, taken from Part 173.2, lists the hazardous materials classes and index to
hazard class, which contain the definitions for classifying a material as a regulated "hazardous
material".
Class Division No.
None
No.
(if any)
Name of Class or Division
49 CFR
Forbidden materials
173.21
Reference
None
1.1
Forbidden explosives
173.54
Explosives (with a mass explosion hazard)
173.50
1.3
1.2
Explosives (with a projection hazard)
173.50
1.4
Explosives (with no significant blast hazard
Explosives (with predominately a tire hazard
173.50
173.50
1.5
Very insensitive explosives; blasting agents
173.50
1.6
2
2.1
Extremely insensitive detonating substances
173.50
173.1157

<<<PAGE 6>>>

Mr. Mazzullo
Oriober 13, 2006
Page 4
Class Division No.
No.
2
(if any)
Name of Class or Division
49 CFR
Reference
2.2
3
2
2.3
Non-flammable compressed gas
173.115
lammable and combustible liqui
173.115
4
4.1
lammable solid
173.120
173.124
4
4.2
4
4.3
173.124
173.124
5
173.127
5.2
a a u
6.1
173.128
173.132
6.2
nfectious substance (Etiologic ager
oisonous materia
173.134
8
Corrosive materia
adioactive materia
173.136
173.403
173.140
None
Other regulated material: ORM-D
173.114
Regulatory Discussion and Request for Opinion
unmarizes our preliminary opinion regarding the app
Because of the onerous nature of ding pulpic with or prepared are at ched table that
Materials Program.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please call.
Sincerely,
Alunch
Owner
Allan (Dusty) B. Currie Jr.
(517) 740-2991
Attachments:
Material Safety Data Sheet for Biodiesel (Biodiesel Industries, Inc.)
Material Safety Data Sheet for Crude Glycerin (Biodiesel Industries, Inc,)

<<<PAGE 7>>>

Mr. Mazzullo
not more than 500 mg/kg.
subpart F of part 172.
173 uf subchapter C.
Is a hazardous waste.
(explosive) material (S 173.50)
material, as defined in § 173.403.
Is an elevated temperature material.
cubic meters (468 cubic feet) for solids;
Is listed in the Hazardous Materials Table.
> Is a marine pollutant listed in Appendix B.
Is a hazardous substance listed in Appendix A.
Meets the definition of a hazardous material defined below.
hazardous material that requires placarding, under provisions of
required for that clas, under the provisions of subpart ofpart
for which placarding of a vehicle, rail car, or freight container is
Is a shipment in other than a bulk packaging of 2,268 kg (5,000
13,248 L (3,500 gallons) for liquids or gases or more than 13.24
Is a shipment of a quantity of hazardous materials in a bulk
hazard zone A," as specified in SS 173.116(a) or 173.133(a)
packaging (see S 171.8.) having a capacity equal to or greater than
inhalation," as defined in § 171.8, that meets the criteria for "
Is more than 25 kg (55 pounds) of a Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3
Class 6 Poisonous Material with an LD50 for acute oral toxicity of
Clov 3 Com busible Liquid that has a fash point above 141° Fanc
• Meets the defining criteria of a hazard class and division in Part
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, is a quantity of
pounds) gross weight or more of one class of hazardous materials
Is a highway route-controlled quantity of a Class 7 (radioactive)
Regulatory Reference
No
(321°F)
No
No
No
No
No
No
material
hazardous
not a
material
hazardous
not a
material
hazardous
not a
No
No
No
Biodiesel
No
(320°F)
No
No
No
No
No
No
material
hazardous
not a
material
hazardous
not a
material
hazardous
not a
No
No
No
Glycerin
Crude
Not list in Appendix A.
hazardous material.
radioactive materials.
toxicity values of 17,400 and 12,600 mg/kg.
have flash points of 321°F and 320°F.
Not ised and ending perin are ner wastes.
the definition of a hazardous material.
Biodiesel and crude glycerin have published oral
Biodiesel and crude glycerin are loaded at 120°F.
Not listed in the Hazardous Materials Table.
With respect to Class 3, biodiesel and crude glycerin
Biodiesel and crude glycerin do not appear to meet
neither material appears to meet the definition of a
neither material appears to meet the definition of a
containers with a capacity greater than 3,500 gallons,
ofered for shipmentry truck and ail normally
crude glycerin would be extremely toxic by inhalation.
Alive mate docs not indicate that biodiese or
Biodiesel and Crude Glycerin are not defined as
Biodiesel and Crude Glycerin are not defined as
Cumment
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