[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Shipping from Australia



Ray,
 
Before the  publication of  DOT Docket HM-169A on September 28, 1995 and
the corresponding  final rule  to the  NRC transportation regulations in
10 CFR Part 71  the only  way that  any quantity of plutonium, above the
definition of  radioactive material,  could be  shipped by  air was in a
[plutonium air  transport (PAT)]  container approved  by the NRC.  Among
other requirements  the PAT had to be loaded in the aft most position of
the aircraft with no other packages behind it.  Logistically FedEx could
not guarantee  a given  position for any package, therefore the decision
was made not to accept for transport any plutonium.
 
With the publication of DOT Docket HM-169A on September 28, 1995 and the
corresponding final  rule  to  the  NRC  transportation  regulations  in
10 CFR Part  71   the  air   transport  of   plutonium  is  governed  by
10 CFR 71.88 and  49 CFR 175.704  which are  reproduced below.  Note the
loading   restrictions,   tie-down   requirements,   and   compatibility
provisions in  175.704(a), (b)  and (c).   Logistically  this would be a
nightmare.   The new  rules did  permit an  A2 quantity  of plutonium as
either special  or normal form to be shipped in a Type A package.  An A2
quantity for  most of  the "more  popular"  and  most  likely  plutonium
isotopes to  be shipped  is only  5.41 mCi.   It  was felt  to control a
single isotope  to this extent would not be highly successful, therefore
it was decided to continue the no plutonium policy.
 
Concerning the excepted package - limited quantity of material shipments
from Australia please see my earlier reply to Barb Flook.
 
Internationally FedEx  uses other  companies to  deliver door to door in
most countries.  In those cases FedEx does not accept Dangerous Goods of
any category  for direct  delivery.    Only  in  those  countries  where
delivery is perform by FedEx, eg UK, are Dangerous Goods accepted.  This
type of  service is  usually referred  to as IP (International Priority)
service.
 
FedEx will  accept Dangerous  Goods on  an "airport to airport" basis to
any location  which is  directly served  by FedEx  aircraft.    This  is
referred to  as Freight  Service.   Freight Service is a different phone
number and  one must ask for it separately or asked to be transferred to
it.   "Airport to  airport" is something of a misnomer.  In this country
provision can  be made  for FedEx  to pick  up and/or  deliver a Freight
Service package.   In  other countries it is necessary for the recipient
to arrange  pick up  at or delivery to the FedEx station at the airport.
As an example a freight forwarder could be used to perform this function
at the foreign airport.
 
I hope  that I  have not  exceeded the  boundaries of  commercialism  on
RADSAFE, but  since this  question seems to crop up from time to time on
RADSAFE I thought I would attempt to clarify it.
 
 
Roy A. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiation Physics Consultant to
Federal Express Corporation
E-Mail: 70472.711@compuserve.com
Tel: 504-924-1473
Fax: 504-924-4269
Pager: 888-714-2733
 
------------------------------10 CFR 71.88------------------------------
 
                            TITLE 10--ENERGY
 
                               COMMISSION
 
PART 71--PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL--Table of
Contents
 
              Subpart G--Operating Controls and Procedures
 
Sec. 71.88  Air transport of plutonium.
 
    (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general licenses and
notwithstanding any exemptions stated directly in this part or included
indirectly by citation of 49 CFR chapter I, as may be applicable, the
licensee shall assure that plutonium in any form, whether for import,
export, or domestic shipment, is not transported by air or delivered to
a carrier for air transport unless:
    (1) The plutonium is contained in a medical device designed for
individual human application; or
    (2) The plutonium is contained in a material in which the specific
activity is not greater than 0.002 uCi/g (70 Bq/g) of material
and in which the radioactivity is essentially uniformly distributed; or
    (3) The plutonium is shipped in a single package containing no more
than an A2 quantity of plutonium in any isotope or form, and
is shipped in accordance with Sec. 71.5; or
    (4) The plutonium is shipped in a package specifically authorized
for the shipment of plutonium by air in the Certificate of Compliance
for that package issued by the Commission.
    (b) Nothing in paragraph (a) of this section is to be interpreted as
removing or diminishing the requirements of Sec. 73.24 of this chapter.
    (c) For a shipment of plutonium by air which is subject to paragraph
(a)(4) of this section, the licensee shall, through special arrangement
with the carrier, require compliance with 49 CFR 175.704, U.S.
Department of Transportation regulations applicable to the air transport
of plutonium.
 
-----------------------------49 CFR 175.704-----------------------------
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 175--CARRIAGE BY AIRCRAFT--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart C--Specific Regulations Applicable According to Classification
                               of Material
 
Sec. 175.704  Plutonium shipments.
 
    Shipments of plutonium by air which are subject to 10 CFR
71.88(a)(4) must comply with the following:
    (a) A plutonium package weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs) and having
its height and diameter both less than 50 cm (19.7 in), must be stowed
aboard the aircraft on the main deck or the lower cargo compartment in
the aft-most location that is possible for cargo of its size and weight.
No other type of cargo may be stowed aft of a plutonium package.
    (b) A plutonium package must be secured and restrained to prevent
shifting under normal transport. A plutonium package weighing 40 kg (88
lbs) or more must be securely cradled and tied down to the main deck of
the aircraft such that the tied down system is capable of providing
package restraint against the following inertial forces acting
separately relative to the deck of the aircraft: Upward, 2g; Forward,
9g; Sideward, 1.5g; Downward, 4.5g.
    (c) A plutonium package weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs), and
having its height and diameter both less than 50 cm (19.7 in), may not
be transported aboard an aircraft carrying other cargo required to bear
an ``Explosive A'' or an ``Explosive 1.1'' label. Any other plutonium
package may not be transported aboard an aircraft carrying other cargo
bearing any of the following hazardous material labels: Explosive A;
Explosive B; Explosive C; Explosive 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6;
Spontaneously Combustible; Dangerous When Wet; Organic Peroxide; Non-
Flammable Gas; Flammable Liquid; Flammable Solid; Flammable Gas;
Oxidizer; or Corrosive.
[Amdt. 175-53, 60 FR 50333, Sept. 28, 1995]
-------------( Forwarded computer archived letter follows )-------------
    16-Jul-98 19:35 CDT
Sb: Re: Need assistance shipping material from Australia
From: Ray Russ <rruss@stanford.edu>
 
 
One of the problems that I've found with Fed Ex has been their apparent
lack of uniformity as fas as knowking-and applying- their own rules
regarding shipments of radioactive materials. An example is the fact
that Fed Ex supposedly will NOT ship any amount of Pu anywhere.
 
Period.
 
However, since this particular Fed Ex policy has been in effect, I have
received multiple shipments of transuranics from outside of the US where
FedEx was the carrier. I have also shipped material greater tha LQ or
LSA (White I for instance) both within and outside of the US using Fed
Ex and have had no problems. I find it curious that the company now
refuses Barb's shipment from "down under" as Australia accounts for appx
80% of my actinide shipments and I've yet to be denied their services.
 
Anyone with a suggestions as to why this might be the case?
 
Ray Russ
SLAC OHP Group
<rruss@stanford.edu>