[ RadSafe ] DOT/IATA definition of raioactive material

[Roy Parker]

Jeff,
  1.. The C-14 Activity Concentration for Exempt Material is 0.27 microCi/g and the Activity Limit for Exempt Consignment is 0.27 mCi.
  2.. If the concentration does not exceed 0.27 microCi/g or the total activity in the consignment does not exceed 0.27 mCi then it is not "radioactive" for the purpose of transportation.
  3.. The 0.025 mCi C-14 qualifies as an exempt consignment.
  4.. The definition of consignment in ICAO/IATA may be used: One or more packages of dangerous goods accepted by an operator from one shipper at one time and at one address, receipted for in one lot and moving to one consignee at one destination address.
  5.. Note that IATA-2008 10.3.1 states: Radioactive material means any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in 10.4.2.1 to 10.4.2.5 (the Activity Concentration for Exempt Material and Activity Limit for Exempt Consignment limits).
  6.. Similarly 49 CFR 173.403: Radioactive material means any material containing radionuclides where both the activity concentration and the total activity in the consignment exceed the values specified in table 173.436 or values derived according the instructions in 173.433.
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiation Physics Consultant
roy at royparker.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kulp, Jeffrey B" <kulpjb at wsu.edu>
To: <radsafe at radlab.nl>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 11:41 AM
Subject: [ RadSafe ] DOT/IATA definition of raioactive material


All,

 

                A colleague of mine is preparing a package containing
C-14 labeled vitamin C for shipment from the US to Canada. The C-14
activity is 0.025 mCi, or 9.25 e 5 Bq. Both DOT and IATA regulations
identify a specific activity requirement and an overall package activity
requirement to meet the definition of radioactive material. The package
does not meet the overall activity requirement, but it does meet the
specific activity requirement. I maintain that since both conditions are
not met, the package is an exempt shipment, thereby requiring no
identification of the C-14 component of the package. An e-mail to an
IATA representative in Canada was sent to verify my interpretation. This
individual said that only one of the two requirements had to be met to
identify the package as a radioactive material shipment. Can anyone give
me guidance on this issue?

 

Thanks,

 

Jeffrey Kulp

Washingon State University

Radiation Safety Office

Pullman, WA 99164-1302

(509) 335-8175

 

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