Hazard Class 7

Class 7 - Radioactive material is for material that spontaneously and continually emits certain types of radiation that can be harmful to your health. Common examples include x-ray machines or isotopes used for medical or industrial purposes like Cobalt 60 and Iodine 132.

For transportation purposes, radioactive material is defined as any material that has a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram. This definition does not specify a quantity, only a concentration.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and DOT share responsibility for the control of radioactive material transport. In general, DOT regulations (§173.400) are more detailed. They cover all aspects of transportation, including packaging, shipper and carrier responsibilities, documentation, and all levels of radioactive material from exempt quantities to very high levels.

The NRC regulations (10 CFR 71) are primarily concerned with special packaging requirements for higher level quantities. NRC regulation 10 CFR 71.5 requires NRC licensees transporting radioactive material to comply with DOT regulations when NRC regulations do not apply.

The HMR specifies several types of packages that can be used with certain categories of radioactive material:

Excepted Packages are used to transport materials with extremely low levels of radioactivity that would pose a very low hazard if released accidentally. These packages are excluded from specific labeling and shipping paper requirements, although they must have the appropriate UN identification number located on the outside of the packaging. Materials typically shipped in these containers are consumer goods, such as smoke detectors.

Industrial Packages are used to transport low specific activity material and surface contaminated objects. Regulations require that these packages allow no identifiable release of material to environment during normal transport and handling. These packages are marked with appropriate category: IP-1, IP-2, or IP-3.

Type A Packages are used to transport material of a higher concentration than those shipped in industrial packages. These packages are designed to resist moderate degrees of heat and cold, reduced air pressure, impact, water spray, penetration, stacking, and vibration; however, they are not designed to withstand the forces of all accidents. Type A packages are only used to transport non life-endangering amounts of radioactive material.

Type B Packages are designed to transport material with the highest levels of radioactivity. These packages must meet all Type A package requirements and successfully pass a series of tests to simulate a worst-case accident condition. Life endangering amounts of radioactive material are transported in Type B packages.

The Transport Index is the radiation level in mr/h at one meter from the package surface. This number designates the degree of control to be exercised by the operator during transport. Under normal transport conditions, the sum of all TIs in a single vehicle cannot exceed 50.

To learn more about DOT HAZMAT Awareness visit our DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Online Training web page.