Re: IATA Dangerous goods declaration

[makay@reed.edu (Michael A Kay)]

The packing group is a new piece of data to be supplied under the HM-181 attenempt
to "Harmonize" the shipping  of hazardous materials around the world. It 
is a number from 1 to 3 with 1 being the most stringent requirements for
packaging and 3 being the least stringent. You will have to refer to a copy
of the new Hazardous Materials Table which will give the packing group
for all materials along with the proper shipping name and all that infor.

The problem with this designator is that it is backwards from the NFPA and
HMIS designations of hazard severity. The higher the number in those
designations, the greater the hazard. In Packing Group, it is the opposite. The
lower the packing group, the greater the hazard. The requirements for testing
and certification of packages for each packing group is also given in the
regulations. Unfortunately, even packing group 1 is not the equivalent of
current standards in the US for packaging hazardous materials.

By October or November of this year, there will be no more 17H drums, and the
replacement in the HM 181 scheme of things is much thinner (28 gauge with 30
gauge top). This will result in more releases during transportation incidents.
The distances in Europe between countries are more like our distances between
New England States. Seattle to Florida or San Diego to Maine are much greater than
than average distances there. So in order to harmonize, our great DOT has
adopted the lesser standards. 

Hope this is enough information to get you started. Basically, you will have to
get at least 6 different Federal Registeres that give all the data, or find
an abstracting company that has put it all together. Do not expect to find
consistancy, or even the answers to questions you need answered to ship. You
may have to call the DOT to get the wrong answer.

Michael Kay, ScD, CHMM
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager