# Safety Kleen — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 98-0250
- **title:** Safety Kleen — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 1998-10-01
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 98-0250 response to Safety Kleen concerning 171.8, 173.164.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0250.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0250.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-98-0250
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/1998/980250.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

• >
US.Department
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
Research and
Administration
Special Programs
OCT 1 1998
Mr. Jerry Davis
Ref. No. 98-0250
Safety Kleen
Suite 300
.
1301 Gervais
Street
Columbia,
29201
Dear Mr Davils:
This is in response to your létter of August 17, 1998, requesting
clarification on the requirements for fluorescent light bulbs
under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-•
180). In your letter you ask whether, and under what conditions,
discarded fluorescent light bulbs (containing mercury), which are
considered universal wastes by the U.S. EPA, would be regulated
by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The proper shipping name "Mercury contained in manufactured
articles" may be used to describe fluorescent light bulbs
containing mercury. As indicated by the letter "A" in Column 1
of the Hazardous Materials Table (HMT), "Mercury contained in
manufactured articles". is
subject to the HMR when transported by
aircraft.
"Mercury contained in manufactured articles" is'
regulated in other modes,
such as by motor vehicle, only when it
meets an EPA-related definition
in the HMR for "hazardous waste"
or "hazardous substance."
Hazardous wastes, as defined by the HMR, are materials that are
subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements of the U.S.
specified. in 40 CER Part 262 ($ 171.8).
Wastes that are
considered universal wastes under 40 CFR Part 273 are not subject
to the Hazardous Waste Manifest requirements in 40 CFR Part 262,
and thus would not be considered hazardous wastes under the HMR.
To determine if a material meets the definition of a hazardous
substance in the HMR, shippers must determine the amount of each
constituent listed in Appendix A to § 172.101 that is present in
the material. If any constituent equals or exceeds its listed RQ
per package, then the material meets the definition of a
hazardous substancę. Therefore, if the amount of mercury in the
material equals or
exceeds one (1) pound per package, the
material is a hazardous substance.
111.8
172.101 App.
173.164
9800375

<<<PAGE 2>>>

If the mercury in the fluorescent light bulbs in your scenario
meets the definition of a hazardous substance, the bulbs are
subject to the HMR in all modes of transportation. Section
173.164 contains the specific packaging requirements and
articles.
exceptions for mercury and mercury contained in manufactured
I hope this satisfies your request.
Sincerely,
1 sansportation Regulations specialist
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 2560