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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Improvements to Hazardous Materials Identification Systems

Final rule.

This final rule amends the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to better identify hazardous materials in transportation. Changes include adding a new ``POISON INHALATION HAZARD'' (PIH) label and placard to enhance the ready identification of materials which are poisonous if inhaled, lowering the quantity for specific hazard class placarding from 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) to 1,000 kilograms (2,205 pounds) of one class or division of material loaded on a transport vehicle, expanding requirements for transport vehicles and freight containers that have been fumigated, and other enhancements to the hazard communication system. Improved identification of, and information about, hazardous materials in transportation assists emergency response personnel in responding to and mitigating the effects of incidents involving the transportation of hazardous materials, and improves safety to transportation workers and the public.

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