Guidanceguidance
99-0242
Palmetto & Ellenton Funeral Homes and Crematory — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
Current as of source date Government source
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Page 1J.S.Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washingion, D.C. 20590 Research and Special Programs Administration APR - 4 2000 Mr. Alan Moore, LFD Ref. No.: 99-0242 Palmetto & Ellenton Funeral Homes 204 Seventh Street West and Crematory Palmetto, Florida 34221 Dear Mr. Palmetto: This responds to your letter concerning the shipment of human remains that contain small amounts of formaldehyde. Specifically, you ask if such human remains are subject to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) when transported by aircraft. You are correct that formaldehyde is a hazardous material. Under the HMR, formaldehyde solutions are classed as corrosive (Class 8) or flammable (Class 3) materials, depending on their concentration. However, the potential risk posed during transportation by the limited amounts of formaldehyde solution contained in human remains is so minimal that regulation is not warranted. Thus, human remains containing small amounts of formaldehyde are not subject to the requirements of the HMR. I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, Director, Office of Hazardous Materials Standards BITIALI 173.22 990242#
Page 2Aug-27-99 14:40 Entreken Moore 7297679 P.02 engrum PALMETTO & ELLENTON 9193.22 FUNERAL HOMEs & CREMATORY 204-7 Bt. West 99-0242 Palmetto, Florida 34221 Edward T. Mazzullo, Director 100 7 St., S.W. DHM-10 | Washington, DC 20590-0001 Re: I'AA letter dated August 24, 1999 Dear Mr. Mazzullo, Picase refer to the letter 1 am faxing to you signed by Mr. Charles Is Cloyd regarding bodies shipped by common carricr contrining formalılehyde. On the airbill it asks for a statement regarding the nature: of the contents of the cargu aur whether or not it is hazadous. The airline employees always ask that we sigo that it is not hazardons when OSTIA spends an inordinate annunt of time telling the fancral industry that formaldehyde is in Cact hazardous. Please provide me with » definite position on this matter so I am clear when I mark the airbill as non-hazardous materials. Tha loore, LED 2047° Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221 Phout 941-722-7704 Fax 941-729-7679#
This material provides agency context. It does not replace binding regulatory text, and its legal effect depends on the underlying authority and facts.