{"operation":"document","citation":"16-0144","title":"ERM — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2017-03-03","effective_on":null,"summary":"16-0144 response to ERM concerning 172.101.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0144.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0144.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0144","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2017/160144.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nSenior Project Scientist\nERM\n555171 Street, Suite 1700\nDenver, CO 80202\nReference No. 16-0144\nDear Mr. Porter:\nThis letter is in response to your August 19, 2016, email requesting clarification of the\nHazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to determining the\nreportable quantity (RQ) of a hazardous substance. You provide a scenario in which nickel\npowder with a mean particle size of 101.1 micrometers is being shipped in a packaging totaling 1\nmetric ton. Specifically, you ask whether the mean particle size can be used to determine if the\nnickel powder meets the RQ of a hazardous substance or whether the amount of nickel powder\nwith a particle size exceeding the threshold size (i.e., 100 micrometers) must be determined.\nThe answer is no; the mean particle size cannot be used to determine if the nickel powder meets\nthe RQ. When determining whether a material in a package meets the RQ listed in Table 1 to\nAppendix A of § 172.101 (i.e., the hazardous substances table), the actual particle size must be\nused. The \"*\" symbol associated with the entry \"Nickel\" in Table 1 denotes that the RQ is\nlimited to metal particles having a diameter smaller than 100 micrometers. To meet the RQ for\nnickel, a package containing nickel must contain at least 100 pounds of nickel particles less than\n100 micrometers. Based on the information you provided, we cannot determine whether your\nshipment meets the definition of a hazardous substance.\nI hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.\nSincerely,\nChief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nPlease submit this as a letter of interpretation. Mr. Porter spoke with Eamonn.\nPlease let me know if you have any questions.\nThanks,\nJordan\nFrom: Scott Porter [mailto: Scott.Porter@erm.com]\nSent: Friday, August 19, 2016 2:01 PM\nTo: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSubject: Request for interoperation\nDear Sir or Madam,\nWhen shipping one metric ton sacks of nickel powder with a mean particle size of 101.1 um, How must RQ requirements\nbe calculated? The nickel powder does not meet any standard hazard classes however nickel with a particle size equal or\nless than 100 um is listed as having an RQ of 100 pounds. Can the determination of whether the shipment meets RQ\nrequirements be based on the representative mean particle size? i.e. Since the mean particle size is greater than 100 um\nthe nickel RQ is not relevant. Or must the actual nickel content with a particle size of 100 um or less be determined to\ncalculate the weight at which RQ limits are reached or exceeded? i.e. 40% of the nickel powder is 100 um or less thus\nany packages weighing 250lbs or more meets the requirement to classify as hazardous due to meeting or exceeding the\nRQ in Table 1 of Appendix A of 172.101.\nRegards,\nScott Porter\nScott A. Porter\nSenior Project Scientist\n555 17* Street, Suite 1700 | Denver, Colorado | 80202\nM 720 822 7489 | T 303 741 5050 |D 720 200 7105\nE scott.porter@erm.com | Wwww.erm.com\nThis message contains information which may be confidential, proprietary, privileged, or otherwise protected by law from disclosure or use by a third party. If you\nhave received this message in error, please contact us immediately at 303) 741-5050 and take the steps necessary to delete the message completely from your\ncomputer system. Thank you.\nPlease visit ERM's web site: http://www.erm.com\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":3442}