{"operation":"document","citation":"07-0025","title":"LMC Pathology Services — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2007-03-09","effective_on":null,"summary":"07-0025 response to LMC Pathology Services concerning 173.134.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0025.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0025.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-07-0025","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2007/070025.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nof Transportation\nU.S. Department\nMAR\n9 2007\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n400 Seventh Street, S.W.\nPipeline and\nAdministration\nHazardous Materials Safety\nMs. Jane Swerdlow\nChief Operating Officer\nRef. No. 07-0025\nLMC Pathology Services\n3059 S. Maryland Parkway, #100\nLas Vegas, NV 89109-2201\nDear Ms. Swerdlow:\nThis responds to your letter concerning transportation of blood and body fluids under the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask\nwhether blood, body fluids, and similar specimens are subject to regulation as Category\nB, Division 6.2 materials.\nIn accordance with § 173.134(b)(11), a human or animal sample being transported for\nroutine testing not related to the diagnosis of an infectious disease and for which there is\na low probability that the sample is infectious is not subject to regulation under the\nHMR. There is no requirement that samples transported in accordance with this section\nmust be transported in exclusive-use vehicles. Note, however, that formalin (10%\nformaldehyde solution) is a Class 9 material and is subject to regulation for transportation\nby air. For ground transportation, neither the samples nor the formalin (10%\nformaldehyde solution) are regulated under the HMR.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact this office if you have additional\nquestions.\nSincerely,\nWith is\nHattie L. Mitchell\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Standards\nChief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention\n173.134(6X11)\n070025\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nMcIntyre\n$113-1346 11)\nLMO\nDefinitions /Exceptions\nPATHOLOGY SERVICES\n07-0025\nU.S. Department of Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration\n400 7' St. S.W.\nOffice of Hazardous Materials Safety\nWashington DC, 20590\nRe: Request of Interpretation\nI am the Chief Operating Officer of a small anatomic pathology based laboratory. Our\nlaboratory couriers pick up and deliver medical specimens including tissue samples in\n10% formalin, blood collected in vaccutainer-type tubes, body fluids as well as\nspecimens for culture all for diagnostic testing. These specimens are from hospitals,\nsurgery centers, physician offices and clinics. All specimens are triple packaged and\ncurrently transported in personal vehicles not used exclusively for this purpose.\nWe are requesting an interpretation regarding the regulations for exceptions o: Division\n6.2, Category B materials under 49 CFR Section 173.134 Class 6, Division 6.2-\nDefinitions and exceptions. In reviewing the exceptions under Section 173.174 (b), do\nthese type of specimens meet the criteria for exception for Division of 6.2 materials under\n(11)? If we meet this exception, is it also necessary to transport these specimens in\nvehicles used exclusively for transport of such materials as defined in (10) of the same\nsection?\nAs an organization we want to make sure that we are in compliance with all of these\nregulations. If you have any questions, my direct telephone number is 702-938-9904 or\nmy e-mail address is Swerdlow@lmclabs.com. Thank you for your assistance.\nSincerely,\nJane Swerdlow\nChief Operating Officer","truncated":false,"body_characters":3109}