MOVEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

June 7, 2004


TO: CAMPUS USERS OF BIOLOGICAL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

FR: BILL SCHMECHEL, DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF RESEARCH COMPLIANCE

RE: MOVEMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS



Plant Material

Recently, a site visit by USDA inspectors to UCR resulted in the seizure and forfeiture of plant material that was not handled in accordance with the conditions of the permit. While there was no deliberate wrongdoing and no financial penalties were accessed, the visit did result in the loss of the plant material and the concurrent setback of the faculty member s research program. This incident illustrates the need for faculty to ensure that permits for the movement of pests or plant materials are in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding such movement and that the conditions of the permit are followed explicitly. If you have questions on permitting uses please call Biosafety 2-2648.


Hazardous Material

Please be advised that the shipping of all hazardous materials is regulated by numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition to potential public safety implications, each violation of the regulations may result in a civil penalty of up to $30,000. A violation can result in five years imprisonment and penalties of $250,000. Persons who willfully violate the regulations may be subject to criminal prosecution with penalties of up to $500,000 and/or five years imprisonment.

Hazardous materials (HM) are defined as any substance that could adversely affect the safety of the public, handlers or carriers during transportation. HM regulations may apply to commercial products, chemical mixtures, and newly synthesized compounds. Various types of batteries, fuel containers and cleaning products are examples of materials that are regulated for shipment.

There are nine classes of HM:

ClassExample(s)
1. ExplosivesRDX, trinitroglycerine, lead azide, dry contaminated picric acid
2. Gases (flammable, compressed, toxic)compressed gases, phosgene, anhydrous ammonia
3. Flammable/Combustible Liquidsethanol, hexanes, formaldehyde
4. Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible and Dangerous When Wetpyrophoric compounds, decaborane, potassium, magnesium, sodium metals
5. Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxidesammonium nitrate, sodium peroxide, bleach, potassium permanganate
6. Toxic and Infectious SubstancesPesticides, phenol solutions, viruses, bacteria
7. Radioactive MaterialP32, C14, S35, I125
8. Corrosivessodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde, bromine
9. Miscellaneous Dangerous Goodsdry ice


If you need to ship a hazardous substance, please call x2-3134.




(June 7, 2004)