Page 141 - Buku Panduan Perkhidmatan MKAKB

9. PROCEDURES FOR BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS STORED IN HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS

Note: Biological materials that are stored in chemical preservatives may be non-infectious
but are classified as Dangerous Goods, and assigned according to the Hazard class of the
chemical. Four substances that are commonly used to in activate or preserve biological
substances are ethanol, isopropanol, formalin and glycerine. Glycerine or glycerols used for
stained specimens are not regulated in any concentrations. (Refer Appendix3).

i. Most flammable liquids fall into Hazard Group III. Within each Hazard Class, materials are
classified into three Packaging Groups.
ii. Materials in Packing Group I: Considered the most dangerous; have a boiling point less than
o
or equal to 35 C.
iii. Materials in Packing Group II: Considered moderately dangerous have a boiling point above
o o
35 C and a flash point less than 23 C.
o
iv. Materials in packing Group III: have a boiling point above 35 C and a flash point between
o o
23 C and 60 C.
v. Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is most commonly used in concentrations of 70% and is assigned to
UN 1170, Class 3. Concentrations between 10% to 80% fall into Packing Group III, while
above 80%, for example specimens inactivated in 95% alcohol for PCR investigations fall into
Packing Group II
vi. Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is most commonly used in concentrations of 70% and is assigned to
UN 1170, Class 3. Concentrations between 10% to 80% fall into Packing Group III, while
above 80%, for example specimens inactivated in 95% alcohol for PCR investigations fall into
Packing Group II.

vii. Isopropanol is most commonly used at concentrations of 50% and fall into Packing Group II.
Concentrations at 10% to 30% fall into Packing Group III.

viii. Preserved biological specimens such as fixed post mortem specimens are usually in 10%
neutral buffered formalin solutions and contain 3.7% or 4% formaldehyde and are not
regulated for transport, provided the volume is kept at the minimum requirement.

ix. Formaldehyde more than 10% to less than 25% is classified as “UN 3334, Aviation
regulated liquid, formaldehyde, Class9”.

x. When shipping Formalin solutions refer to the MSDS to determine the percent of
formaldehyde. Full strength Formalin is 37% formaldehyde. Formalin is a mixture of
formaldehyde and methyl alcohol. IATA identifies formalin as Formaldehyde solution.

xi. Formalin with more than 25% formaldehyde and combined with a flammable substance
such as methyl alcohol is classified as “Formaldehyde solution, flammable, UN 1198, Class
3 (Sub risk 8) Packing group III. (Note: Formaldehyde solutions in these concentrations are
noxious and can cause extreme annoyance or discomfort to crew members in the event of
a spill or leak on an aircraft.)

xii. Formaldehyde, not less than 25% (> 25%) is assigned to UN 2209, Class 8, Formaldehyde
solution, Packing Group III.