Interpretation Response #03-0191 ([Ondeo Nalco Company] [Ms. Alicia M. Shaban])

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date: 05/26/2004

Company Name: Ondeo Nalco Company

Individual Name: Ms. Alicia M. Shaban

Location State: IL Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

May 26, 2004

Ms. Alicia M. Shaban               Reference No. 03-0191
Regulatory Chemist
Environment, Health Safety
Ondeo Nalco Company
Ondeo Nalco Center
Naperville, IL 60563-1198

Dear Ms. Shaban:

This responds to your letter regarding the determination of proper shipping names for corrosive liquid mixtures and solutions under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171­180).  Specifically, you are requesting whether it is more appropriate to use the acidic/basic and organic/inorganic corrosive liquid descriptions (identification Numbers UN3264­UN3267) or the “Corrosive liquid, n.o.s.” proper shipping name (UN1760) under various scenarios.  I apologize for the delay in responding.  Your scenarios are paraphrased and answered as follows:

Q1.      A mixture or solution is neither significantly acidic or basic (pH 7).  The hazardous constituent of the mixture or solution is a basic organic component.  Should the proper shipping name be “Corrosive liquid, basic, organic, n.o.s.” (UN3267) or the more generic “Corrosive liquids, n.o.s.” (UN1760)?

Al.        Assuming the pH neutral mixture or solution meets the definition of a regulated corrosive material, when determining whether a mixture or solution is acidic/basic or organic/inorganic, a shipper must make that determination based on the hazardous constituent(s) of the mixture or solution.  The proper shipping name that most appropriately describes the constituent(s) must be used.  The most appropriate description for the mixture or solution you describe would be “Corrosive liquid, basic, organic, n.o.s.” (UN3267).

Q2.      A mixture or solution contains organic non-hazardous constituents and an inorganic hazardous component or, alternatively, inorganic non-hazardous constituents and an organic hazardous component.  What criteria should be used to determine the proper shipping name under this scenario?

A2.      Use of the terms “organic” or “inorganic” is based on the hazardous constituents in the mixture or solution, not the mixture or solution as a whole.

Q3.      A mixture or solution contains inorganic non-hazardous constituents and the corrosive component is an amine.  Should the proper shipping name be, “Amines, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.” (UN2735) or the more generic “Corrosive liquids, n.o.s.” (UN1760)?

A3.      The most appropriate description for the mixture or solution you describe would
be “Amines, liquid, corrosive, n.o.s.” (UN2735).  In addition, the proper shipping name should be supplemented with the qualifying word “mixture” or “solution” as specified in
§ 172.101(c) (10).

I trust this satisfies your inquiry.  Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Edward T. Mazzullo
Director
Office of Hazardous materials Standards

173.136

Regulation Sections