# Southeastern Fumigants, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 98-0202
- **title:** Southeastern Fumigants, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1998-08-07
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 98-0202 response to Southeastern Fumigants, Inc. concerning 173.334.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0202.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0202.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0202
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980202.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

•
U.S.Department
.. •
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C.
20590
Special Programs
Administration
AUG 7 1998
Mr. Larry W. Massey
President Southeastern Fumigants, Inc.
Ref. No. 98-0202
P.O. Box 548
Dawson, Georgia 31742
:
Dear Mr. Massey:
This is in response to your letter dated June 12, 1998 regarding whether a "tube" located near the
bottom of a 4BA 240 cylinder used to withdraw the liquid material out would be considered an
"eduction tube" under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You
asked for clarification of what is considered an "eduction tube" for cylinders containing organic
phosphates mixed with compressed gases under the HMR.
A tube used to facilitate the withdrawal of liquid from the bottom of a cylinder, as described in
your letter, is an eduction tube. As you are aware, the requirements in § 173.334(c) prohibit
cylinders containing organic phosphates mixed with compressed gases from being equipped with
eduction tubes during transportation.
Procedures for requesting exemptions from HMR requirements are set forth in 49 CFR 107.109
and 107.117.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
Edul 7 Mangalle
Edward T. Mazzullo/
:..
Director, Office of Hazardous
Materials Standards
173.334

<<<PAGE 2>>>

" '
LAE
U.S.Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C.
20590
Research and
Administration
Special Programs
AUG
7 1998
Mr. Larry W. Massey
FARET
Ref. No. 98-0202
President Southeastern Fumigants, Inc.
P.O. Box 548
Dawson, Georgia 31742
Dear Mr. Massey:
This is in response to your letter dated June 12, 1998 regarding whether a "tube" located near the
bottom of a 4BA 240 cylinder used to withdraw the liquid material out would be considered an
"eduction tube" under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). You
asked for clarification of what is considered an "eduction tube" for cylinders containing organic
phosphates mixed with compressed gases under the HMR.
A tube used to facilitate the withdrawal of liquid from the bottom of a cylinder, as described in
your letter, is an eduction tube. As you are aware, the requirements in § 173.334(c) prohibit
cylinders containing organic phosphates mixed with compressed gases from being equipped with
eduction tubes during transportation.
Procedures for requesting exemptions from HMR requirements are set forth, in 49 CFR 107.109
and 107.117.
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
...0..
Director, Office of Hazardous
Materials Standards
-

<<<PAGE 3>>>

JUL, 20.1998
1: 33PM
NO.001
P.212
Southeastern Fumigants, Inc.
S17 Industrial Park Blvd.
P. O. Box 548
912-995-5891
Dawson, Georgia 31742
SE Watts 1-800-544-7510
Fax 912-995-5893
June 12, 1998
Engrum
§ 173.334
Mr. Edward Mazzullo, Director
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
U. S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590-0001
•
Dear Mr. Mazullo,
During a routine inspection of Southeastern Fumigants, Inc, Mr. Wayne Chaney of the
Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement questioned whether or not the liquid
withdrawal tube which we use in our 4BA240 cylinders actually met the requirements of
an eduction tube. Eduction tubes are prohibited in the Hazardous Materials Regulation
173.334( c). It has bean our opinion that the tube was proper for use since its purpose is
to facilitate the withdrawal of the liquid from the bottom of the cylinder. The tube is not
intended as a safety relief tube or as a scavenging tube, Since there is some question as
to what the definition of an "eduction tube" actually is, we would like to request
clarification of what your office considers an eduction tube.
Liquid withdrawal or "dip" tubes have been used for dispensing insecticides for a number
of years. Conversion to cylinders that do not have a withdrawal tube would result in a
cost of over $100,000 for our small company and would mean that most of the bulk
peanut warehouses in the southeast would have to make modifications in their methods
of dispensing insecticides. Additionally, the peanut harvest season will begin in mid-
August and we must make preparations for that season, so time is a factor. We would
appreciate your prompt reply as soon as possible. Should you have questions, you may
contact me at the above address and telephone numbers.
Thank you,
Lany w. masay
Larry W. Massey
President
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