University of California, Riverside
Environmental Health & Safety
Chemical Packing Categories & Examples
Environmental Health and Safety
August 2009
created by Ed Trujillo; Waste Operations Supervisor &
Russell Vernon, Ph.D.; Research Safety & Integrated Waste Manager
Chemical Packing Categories, ver 2, 8/14/2009
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University of California, Riverside
Environmental Health & Safety
Table of Contents
Division 3 Flammable Liquids ..........................................................................................3
Flammable Liquids Suitable For Consolidation .....................................................................3
Liquid Paints, & Paint Related Materials .................................................................................3
Solid Paints & Resins ................................................................................................................3
Division 4.1 Flammable Solid ...........................................................................................4
Hydrophilic Material ...................................................................................................................4
Hydrophobic Material ................................................................................................................4
Division 4.2 Spontaneously Combustible ......................................................................4
*Spontaneously Combustible Material to be Packed Alone* ................................................4
Hydrophilic (compounds with an affinity to water.) ..............................................................4
Hydrophobic (compounds repelled by water) ........................................................................4
Division 4.3 Dangerous When Wet (Water Reactive Material) .....................................4
Water Reactive Acidic Material .................................................................................................4
Other/Alkaline Water Reactive Material ...................................................................................5
Division 5.1 Oxidizer..........................................................................................................5
Acid compatible..........................................................................................................................5
Alkaline compatible ...................................................................................................................5
Division 5.2 Organic Peroxides........................................................................................6
Division 6.1 Poison Liquids & Solids ..............................................................................6
Chlorinated Solvents .................................................................................................................6
Division 6.1 Poison - Inhalation Hazard Chemicals ......................................................6
Division 8 Corrosive ..........................................................................................................7
Acid compatible..........................................................................................................................7
Other Acid Compatible ..............................................................................................................7
Alkaline compatible ...................................................................................................................8
Other Alkaline Compatible Materials .......................................................................................8
Other Organic Salts ...................................................................................................................8
Reactive Inorganic Acidic Compounds ...................................................................................8
Normal Combustible Solids and Liquids ........................................................................9
Asbestos Material ..............................................................................................................9
Batteries ..............................................................................................................................9
Division 8.....................................................................................................................................9
Alkaline Division 8 ................................................................................................................... 10
Poisonous Division 6.1 ............................................................................................................ 10
Reactive Lithium Batteries ...................................................................................................... 10
Hazmat Classification...................................................................................................... 10
Class 1 -- Explosives ............................................................................................................... 10
Class 2 -- Gases........................................................................................................................ 11
Class 3 -- Flammable Liquids ................................................................................................. 11
Class 4 -- Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible Material, and Material that is
Dangerous When Wet .............................................................................................................. 12
Class 5 -- Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides ......................................................................... 12
Class 6 -- Poisonous Materials and Infectious Substances ............................................... 12
Class 7 -- Radioactive Materials ............................................................................................. 13
Class 8 -- Corrosive Materials ................................................................................................ 13
Chemical Packing Categories, ver 2, 8/14/2009
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Environmental Health & Safety
Division 3 Flammable Liquids
Flammable Liquids Suitable For Consolidation
Acetone
Acetonitrile
Benzene
Butanol
Cyclohexane
1,2-Dichloroethane
Ethyl Benzene
Ethyl Butyl Ketone
Gasoline
Heptane
Isobutyl Alcohol
Kerosene
Lacquer Thinner
Methanol
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone
Mineral Spirits
Octanol
Paint Stripper
Paint Thinner
Pentanone
Pet. Dist. Based Liquids
Petroleum Ether
Transmission Fluid
Turpentine
Xylene
Liquid Paints, & Paint Related Materials
Acetone Based Ink
Flammable Paints, Inks & Toners
Inks
Lead Based Paint
Oil Based Paint
Petroleum Distilled Based Paints
Toluene Based Paints
Toners
Urethane Based Paints
Solid Paints & Resins
Adhesives
Driveway Sealer
Epoxies
Glazing Compounds
Glue
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Putties
Roofing Tar
Solid Paints
Division 4.1 Flammable Solid
Hydrophilic Material
diazo compounds (non-explosive, non-temperature sensitive)
dinitronaphthalene (1,5- & 1,8 isomers)
dinitrophenol (>15% water by mass)
dinitrophenyl hydrazine (>30% water by mass)
picric acid (>30% water)
Hydrophobic Material
magnesium (>50% mg in pellets, turnings, or ribbons)
metal powders (copper, zinc, etc.)
phosphorus, amorphous (red)
Division 4.2 Spontaneously Combustible
*Spontaneously Combustible Material to be Packed Alone*
aluminum alkyls
butyl lithium (organolithium reagents)
diethyl zinc
phosphorous, white or yellow (dry, under water, or solution)
titanium trichloride
Hydrophilic (compounds with an affinity to water.)
Grignard reagents (organometallic liquids)
sodium hydrosulfite (sodium dithionite)
sodium methylate (methoxide)
Hydrophobic (compounds repelled by water)
potassium sulfide (less than 30% water of crystallization)
Raney Nickel
sodium sulfide (less than 30% water of crystallization)
Division 4.3 Dangerous When Wet (Water Reactive Material)
Water Reactive Acidic Material
Boron trifluoride dimethyl etherate
Ethyl dichlorosilane
Methyl dichlorosilane
Trichlorosilane
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Other/Alkaline Water Reactive Material
Aluminum
Aluminum Hydride
Barium
Calcium
Calcium Hydride
Lithium
Lithium Aluminum Hydride
Magnesium Granules, Powders
Potassium
Sodium
Sodium Borohydride
*Zinc
Comments
1. *Note that zinc dust has subsidiary hazard of spontaneously combustibility.
2. Pack liquids and solids separately.
Division 5.1 Oxidizer
CAUTION: Many oxidizers are incompatible with other oxidizers (e.g., acidic and basic
materials). Use chemical knowledge or references to ensure compatibility.
Acid compatible
Chromic Acid (Solid)
Inorganic Acidic Oxidizing Solutions
Dichromates
Hydrogen peroxide (<30%)
Perchlorates
Permanganates
Persulfates
Alkaline compatible
Nitrates
Bromates
Ceric Sulfate
Chlorates
Solid bleach
Calcium hypochlorite
s-trianzine-n-trione
n-bromo-n-chlorodimethylhydantoin
Comments
1. Do not mix ammoniated compounds with any form of bleach.
2. Do no pack nitrates with acids.
3. No metal peroxides (dioxides).
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Division 5.2 Organic Peroxides
Benzoyl Peroxide
Butyl Hydroperoxide
Cumene Hydroperoxide
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide
Comments
1. Each organic peroxide compound must be packed alone.
Division 6.1 Poison Liquids & Solids
Ammonium Vanadate
Arsenic Acid
Arsenic Pentoxide
Arsenic Trioxide
Barium Chloride
Beryllium Chloride
Cadmium Chloride
Cadmium Fluoride
Lead Chloride
Lead Sulfate
Lead Thiosulfate
Lead Phosphate
Thallium Chloride
Thallium Iodide
Thallium Oxide
Thallium Selenide
Thallium (I) Sulfate
Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluorosilcate
Zinc Fluoride
Chlorinated Solvents
Carbon Tetrachloride
Dichlorobenzene
Methylene Chloride
Trichloroethane
Division 6.1 Poison - Inhalation Hazard Chemicals
Comment
1. Must be packed by itself
Acetone cyanohydrins, stabilized PIH
Acrolein, inhibited PIH
Arsenic trichloride PIH
Boron trifluoride, diethul etherate PIH
Bromine OXY – PIH
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Chloropicrin PIH
Chloropivaloyl chloride PIH
Chlorosulfonic acid OXY - PIH
Cyanides –calcium/potassium/sodium/mercuric potassium/sodium capuro/ zincCyanogen bromide
Hydrogen fluoride, anhydrous
Iron pentacarbonyl PIH
Methyl hydrazine PIH
Nitric acid, red fuming OXY - PIH
Osmium tetroxide
Phosphorous oxychloride PIH
Phosphorousf trichloride PIH
Sulfuryl chloride PIH
Titanium tetrachloride PIH
Trichloroacetyl chloride PIH
Comments
1. PIH – Poison Inhalation Hazard
Division 8 Corrosive
Acid compatible
Acetic Acid
Acetic Acid based photographic fixer
Aluminum (III) Chloride (Hydrated) - Solids & Solutions
Bifluorides (Inorganic Water Soluble)
Bisulfites (Acidic) RED
Chromic Acid Solution OXY
Copper Chloride
Ferric Chloride
Hydrobromic Acid
Hydrochloric Acid
Nitric Acid 50% or Less OXY
Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate
Sulfamic Acid
Sulfuric Acid
Zinc Chloride
Zinc Sulfate
Other Acid Compatible
Bisulfites (Soilds) RED
Stannous Chloride
Stannous Fluoride
Stannous Iodide
Stannous Sulfate
Phosphates – Acidic
Boric Acid
Inorganic Fluorides, Chlorides, Bromides, & Iodides
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Hydrazine Sulfate RED
Comments
1. Do not pack ‘OXY’ material with ‘RED’ & ‘ORG’ materials. (OXY=Oxidizer; ORG=Organic;
RED=Reducer)
Alkaline compatible
Alkaline Cleaners (No Organics)
Alkaline Inorganic Waste
Calcium Oxide
Other Hydroxides
Hypochlorite Solutions – OXY
Potassium Hydroxide
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium Oxalates
Other Alkaline Compatible Materials
Sodium Sulfite (PH 10.1 of Solution) RED
Tungstates/Titanates/Carbonates/Bicarbonates/Hydroxides/
Phosphates/Phosphites/Hypophosphites/Borates/Vanadates
Alkaline Developers (with Hydroquinone)
Silver Based Developer
Other Organic Salts
Acetates
Citrates
Fructose
Glucose
Lactates
Lactose
Oxalic Acid
Sucrose
Tartrates
Reactive Inorganic Acidic Compounds
Aluminum Chloride, Anhydrous
Aluminum Trichloride
Antimony Trifluoride
Antimony Tribromide
Boron Trifluoride, Dihydrate
Perchloric Acid 50% or Less by Mass OXY
Selenium Oxychloride
Stannic Chloride
Thionyl Chloride
Comments
1. Overpack/polybag these items before shipping
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Normal Combustible Solids and Liquids
Albumin
Aldehydes (Laureal Aldehyde etc.) (<pt.)
Ascorbic Acid
Amino Acids
Cellulose
Charcoal
Clay
Diatomaceous Earth
EDTA & salts
Fatty Acids
Grease
Heavy Alcohols (Oleal, Dodecyl, etc.)
Latex Based Resins
Neutral (organic based) Cleaner
Non RCRA Regulated Alkaline Compatible Inorganic Solids
Non RCRA Regulated Alkaline Contaminated Debris
Non Regulated Acid Compatible Inorganic Solids / Contaminated Debris
Polycrylate Resins
Polyamine Resins
Polybutylene Resins
Polycarbonate Resins
Polyester Resins
Salicyclic Acid
Silica
Stearates
Succinic Anhydride
Talc
Comments
1. Do not pack acidic and alkaline materials together.
Asbestos Material
Asbestos
Asbestos Tiles
Comment:
1. Must be double bagged and wetted.
Batteries
Lead-Acid Batteries
Division 8
Car Batteries
Forklift Batteries
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Lead-Acid Gel Cell Batteries
Lead-Calcium Batteries
Comments
1. Batteries must be intact & non-leaking.
2. All terminals must be covered with cardboard, duct tape, or other insulating barrier to prevent short
circuiting.
Alkaline Division 8
Nickel-Cadmium, Wet Cells
Nickel-Hydroxide Batteries
Comments
1. All terminals must be covered with cardboard, duct tape, or other insulating barrier to
prevent short circuiting.
Poisonous Division 6.1
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
Mercury Oxide Batteries
Zinc-Aire Batteries
Comments
1. Pack Ni-Cd & alkaline batteries separate when possible.
2. All terminals must be covered with cardboard, duct tape, or other insulating barrier to prevent short
circuiting.
Reactive Lithium Batteries
Lithium Batteries Sodium Fluoride
Sodium Fluorosilicate
Spent Lithium Batteries
Comments
1. All batteries must be sealed / non-leaking and protected from short circuiting by separating with a
physical barrier or by duct taping the ends of each individual battery.
Hazmat Classification
Hazardous Material Law provides a conceptual summary of the different hazard classes
found in the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). At most, these summaries can be used
as a “primer” for understanding the hazard class definitions as set forth by DOT in the HMR,
and certainly not as a substitute. Check the regulations
http://www.myregs.com/dotrspa/goto.asp?ref=CFR49_HM215G_A&shopos=no &
http://www.myregs.com/dotrspa/
The sample hazmat items listed in the summaries are illustrative
only -- there are thousands of specifically listed hazmat items in the
HMR, and many more unlisted items qualify as hazmat because of their
physical characteristics.
Class 1 -- Explosives
The HMR generally define explosives to be “any substance or
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article, including a device which is designed to function by explosion (i.e., an extremely rapid
release of gas and heat) or which, by chemical reaction within itself, is able to function in a
similar manner even if not designed to function by explosion.”
There are six divisions for Class 1 materials, divided on the basis of the type and
severity of possible explosion (i.e. from Division 1.1, a mass explosion hazard to Division 1.6,
which applies to very insensitive explosive articles that do not present mass or projective
explosion risks). Some, but not all types of explosives are forbidden from air transportation.
The following are some examples of Class I hazmat: Certain types of air bag inflators,
ammunition, gun powder, water-activated contrivances, sounding devices, distress signals,
rocket engines, liquid propellant, various primers, jet fuel, fire works, and safety fuses. The
HMR also specifies certain explosives that are forbidden from being offered for commercial
transportation.
Class 2 -- Gases
There are three types of gases that qualify as hazmat – flammable
gas, poisonous gas, and compressed gas. A gas is flammable when it is
either ignitable or flammable when mixed with air under certain
conditions.). Examples of flammable gas include: certain aerosol products,
engine starting fluids, butane, certain refrigerant gases, propane, dissolved
acetylene and cigarette lighters.
A gas is poisonous when it is either known or presumed to be toxic
enough to pose a health hazard to humans during transportation.
Examples of poisonous gas include: carbon monoxide, chlorine, nitric oxide, hydrogen
bromide, and anhydrous ammonia.
Compressed gas is gas that is neither flammable nor poisonous, but is packaged in a
manner so that the absolute pressure is 40.6 pounds per square inch (absolute) or greater.
Compressed gas includes liquefied gas, pressurized cryogenic gas, compressed gas in
solution, asphyxiant gas and oxidizing gas. Id. Examples of compressed gas include:
numerous household aerosol products, compressed air, and airbag inflators.
Class 3 -- Flammable Liquids
There are no hazard category subdivisions in Class 3, and the
number of materials that qualify as flammable liquid is quite large. The
HMR generally define flammable liquids as a “liquid having a flashpoint of
not more than 60.5° C (141° F), or any material in a liquid phase with a
flashpoint at or above 37.8° C (100° F) that is intentionally heated and
offered for transportation or transported at or above its flashpoint in a bulk
packaging.” The method for determining flashpoint is specified in the
HMR.
Class 3 also includes combustible liquids, which are defined as any liquid that does not
meet the definition of any other hazard class and has a flashpoint above 60.5° C (141° F), but
below 95° C (200° F). Under certain circumstances, combustible liquids can be excluded from
regulation under the HMR.
Examples of Class 3 flammable liquids can include: gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene,
crude oil, certain alcoholic beverages and flavoring oil extracts, cleaning liquid compounds
methanol, paint and a variety of paint-related products, adhesives, benzene, camphor oil,
certain medicines and rosin oil.
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Class 4 -- Flammable Solids, Spontaneously Combustible Material, and Material
that is Dangerous When Wet
As a general matter, there are three types of materials that qualify
as flammable solids: (1) certain types of desensitized explosives; (2)
certain self-reactive materials (materials that are thermally unstable and
can undergo a strongly exothermic decomposition without air); and (3)
readily combustible materials such as certain metal powders, or materials
that can cause fire through friction (such as matches) or that have an
accelerated burn rate.
The HMR designates seven different self-reactive material types,
Type A through Type G, in descending order of hazard risk presented, with Type A being
banned from commercial transportation. Matches and coated aluminum powder are examples
of Class 4.1 (flammable solids) material.
There are two types of spontaneous combustible material -- pyrophoric material and self
heating material. Pyrophoric material is a liquid or solid that can, without an external ignition
source, ignite within five minutes of coming into contact with air. A self heating material is a
material that, when in contact with air and without an energy supply is liable to self heat.
Certain nitrocellulose-based self-healing plastics, for example, qualify as 4.2 spontaneous
combustible material.
Material that is dangerous when wet, Class 4.3, means material that by contact with
water is liable to become spontaneously flammable or give off a flammable or toxic gas at a
rate greater than 1 liter per kilogram of the material per hour. Many raw elements, such as
lithium, potassium, barium and calcium, qualify as a Class 4.3 dangerous when wet material.
Class 5 -- Oxidizers and Organic Peroxides
Under the HMR, oxidizers are materials that may, generally by
yielding oxygen, cause or enhance the combustion of other materials. Both
solids and liquids can qualify as oxidizers, and the HMR specifies test
procedures to determine whether a material qualifies as an oxidizer.
Ammonia nitrate fertilizer and lead nitrate are examples of Class 5.1
oxidizers.
The HMR generally defines organic peroxides to be any organic
compound containing oxygen in the bivalent O-O structure and which may be considered a
derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where one or more of the hydrogen atoms have been
replaced by organic radicals. There can be some overlap between qualifying as a Class 5.2
organic peroxide and a Class 1 explosive, and when this occurs the material generally must be
classified as a Class 1 explosive. The HMR designates seven different organic material types,
Type A through Type G, in descending order of hazard risk presented, with Type A being
banned from commercial transportation.
Class 6 -- Poisonous Materials and Infectious Substances
The HMR defines poisonous material as any material, other than a
gas which is known to be so toxic to humans as to afford a hazard to heath
during transportation, or if the material is presumed to be toxic to humans
because of animal testing with respect to oral toxicity, dermal toxicity, or
inhalation toxicity.
Arsenic, arsenic compounds, copper-based pesticides, tear gas, antiknock compounds, trichloroethylene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane are
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examples of Class 6.1 poisonous materials.
The biohazard materials from Class 6.2 include infectious substances, diagnostic
specimens, biological products, and regulated medical wastes. There are a number of
exceptions and exclusions associated with Class 6.2, and in some cases compliance with
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations can be substituted for
compliance with the HMR.
Class 7 -- Radioactive Materials
The HMR defines radioactive materials as any material having a
specific activity greater than 70 Becquerel (Bq) per gram. The specific
activity of a radionuclide is the activity of the radionuclide per unit mass of
that nuclide. Id. The specific activity of a material in which the radionuclide
is essentially uniformly distributed is the activity per unit mass of the
material. Articles or instruments, such as clocks, electronic tubes or
apparatus that have radioactive material in gaseous or solid, nondispersible solid form as a component part of the article or instrument are subject to regulation
as Class 7 radioactive materials. There are, however, fairly broad exceptions for articles or
instruments containing radioactive material as a component part when certain packaging
formats are used, and certain radiation measurements can be satisfied.
Class 8 -- Corrosive Materials
Liquids or solids that cause full thickness destruction of human skin
at the site of contact within a specified time period, and liquids that can
have a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum qualify as Class 8
corrosive materials under the HMR. Numerous industrial and consumer
products qualify as Class 8 corrosive items, including certain wet and dry
batteries and alkali battery fluid, certain dyes, formic acid, hydrochloric
acid, nitric acid, mercury and devices containing mercury (such as
thermometers and electron tubes).
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Compatibility of Chemical Hazard Classes as defined by DOT
Hazard Class
3
4
Flammable
Liquids
Flammable
Solid
Spontaneously
Combustible
Dangerous
When Wet
Oxidizer
5
6
8
Organic
Peroxide
Extremely
Poisonous
Liquid
Extremely
Poisonous
Inhalation
Hazard
Corrosive
Liquid Acidic
Corrosive
Liquid Caustic
Class
Flammable
Liquid
Flammable
Solid
Spontaneously
Combustible
Dangerous
When Wet
Division
3
4.1
4.2
4.3
Oxidizer
Organic
Peroxide
Extremely
Poisonous
Liquid
Extremely
Poisonous
Inhalation
Hazard
Corrosive
Liquid
Acidic
Corrosive
Liquid
Caustic
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.1
8
8
3.1
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.1
8
8
Shaded areas indicate that the hazard classes are incompatible. Do Not place these in the same secondary container, box or drum.
Source, US Department of Transportation URL: http://www.dot.gov
Normal Combustible Solids and Liquids can be transported with most hazard categories (best to not place organics with Class 5 oxidizers)
For more information, contact Environmental Health & Safety (www.ehs.ucr.edu 951-827-5528)
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