 |
| Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) |
For more
complete packing instructions see the current edition of the International
Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations and US
DOT 49 CFR Parts 171-180 -
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials (HazMat)
Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 171-180, require all persons involved in
the packaging, shipping, etc. of diagnostic specimens to be aware
of the relevant regulations.
A DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMEN is any human or animal material being
transported for diagnostic or investigational purposes, BUT excluding
live infected animals.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMENS TRANSPORTED UNDER THE IATA REGULATIONS ARE ASSIGNED TO UN IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 3373.
| You,
as the shipper - not the transport company - are responsible
for the shipment until the package reaches the consignee. |
|
PRIMARY
PACKAGING
- Primary
receptacle(s) must be water tight, e.g., if screw cap seal with parafilm
or similar.
- Multiple
primary receptacles must be wrapped individually to prevent breakage.
- When
determining the volume of diagnostic specimens being shipped, include
the viral transport media.
- Primary
receptacle(s) must not contain more than 500 ml or 500 g.
the entire contents of the primary receptacle is the diagnostic
specimen.
SECONDARY
PACKAGING
- Use enough
absorbent material to absorb the entire contents of all primary receptacles
in case of leakage or damage.
- Secondary
packaging must meet the IATA packaging requirements for diagnostic
specimens including 1.2 meter (3.9 feet) drop test procedure. Since
infectious substance packaging surpasses the requirements for diagnostic
specimen packaging, in the IATA Packing Instruction 602, it can
be used. Infectious substance packaging will have the required
specification markings on packaging
| ("UN"
will be in a circle): e.g., |
 4G/CLASS
6.2/99/GB/2450 |
- Secondary packaging must be watertight. Follow the packaging manufacturer
or other authorized party's packing instructions included with
the secondary packaging.
- Secondary packaging must be at least 100 mm (4 inches) in the smallest
overall external dimension.
- Must be large enough for shipping documents, e.g. air waybill.
OUTER
PACKAGING
- The outer
packaging must not contain more than 4 L or 4 kg.
- Both dry ice and wet ice must be placed outside the secondary packaging
.
- Dry ice: packaging must permit the release of carbon dioxide gas and not allow a
build-up of pressure that could rupture the packaging.
- Wet ice: the packaging must be leak-proof.
- Each package and the
air waybill must be marked with the following exact wording:
UN
3373 DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMEN
PACKED IN COMPLIANCE WITH
IATA PACKING INSTRUCTION 650 |
|
- An
itemized list of contents must be enclosed between the secondary
packaging and the outer packaging. Place in a sealed plastic bag
to protect from moisture.
- A Shipper's
Declaration for Dangerous Goods is NOT required.
| Proper
packing and labeling of the secondary container for shipping of
diagnostic specimens |
 |
|
|
|
