USDOT HazMat Placards

Division 6.1 Poisons (pg 2 of 2)
49CFR 173.132

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...CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

Determining Acute LD50
49CFR 173.132(c)

For purposes of classifying and assigning packing groups to mixtures possessing oral or dermal toxicity hazards according to the criteria in 49CFR 173.133(a)(1), it is necessary to determine the acute LD50 of the mixture. If a mixture contains more than one active constituent, one of the following methods may be used to determine the oral or dermal LD50 of the mixture:

  1. Obtain reliable acute oral and dermal toxicity data on the actual mixture to be transported;
  2. If reliable, accurate data is not available, classify the formulation according to the most hazardous constituent of the mixture as if that constituent were present in the same concentration as the total concentration of all active constituents; or
  3. If reliable, accurate data is not available, apply the formula:
    [SORRY: LD50 formula can not be rendered as plain text.]
    where:
    C = the % concentration of constituent A, B ... Z in the mixture;
    T = the oral LD50 values of constituent A, B ... Z;
    TM = the oral LD50 value of the mixture.
    Note to formula in paragraph (c)(3): This formula also may be used for dermal toxicities provided that this information is available on the same species for all constituents. The use of this formula does not take into account any potentiation or protective phenomena.

Assignment of packing groups and hazard zones
49CFR 173.133

  1. The packing group of Division 6.1 materials shall be as assigned in Column 5 of the 49CFR 172.101 Table. When the 49CFR 172.101 Table provides more than one packing group or hazard zone for a hazardous material, the packing group and hazard zone shall be determined by applying the following criteria:
    1. The packing group assignment for routes of administration other than inhalation of vapors shall be in accordance with the following table:
      PGOral toxicity
      LD50 (mg/kg)
      Dermal toxicity
      LD50 (mg/kg)
      Inhalation toxicity
      by dusts and mists
      LC50 (mg/L)
      I<=5<=40<=0.5
      II>5, <=50>40, <= 200>0.5, <=2
      IIIsolids: >50, <= 200;
      liquids: >50, <=500
      >200, <=1000>2, <=10
    2.  
      1. The packing group and hazard zone assignments for liquids (see 49CFR 173.115(c) of this subpart for gases) based on inhalation of vapors shall be in accordance with the following Table:
        Packing Group
        (Hazard Zone)
        Vapor concentration and toxicity
        I (Hazard Zone A)V >= 500 LC50 and LC50 <= 200 mL/M³.
        I (Hazard Zone B)V >= 10 LC50; LC50 <= 1000 mL/m³; and the criteria for Packing Group I. Hazard Zone A are not met.
        II (Hazard Zone C)V >= LC50; LC50 <= 3000 mL/m³ ; and the criteria for Packing Group I, Hazard Zones A and B are not met.
        III (Hazard Zone D)V >= .2 LC50; LC50 <= 5000 mL/m³; and the criteria for Packing Groups I and II, Hazard Zones A, B and C are not met.
        Note 1: V is the saturated vapor concentration in air of the material in mL/m³ at 20°C and standard atmospheric pressure.
        Note 2: A liquid in Division 6.1 meeting criteria for Packing Group I, Hazard Zones A or B stated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section is a material poisonous by inhalation subject to the additional hazard communication requirements in 49CFR 172.203(m)(3), 49CFR 172.313 and Table 1 of 49CFR 172.504(e) of this subchapter.
      2. These criteria are represented graphically in Figure 1:
        Fig 1 (Graph cannot be represented in text form).
    3. When the packing group determined by applying these criteria is different for two or more (oral, dermal or inhalation) routes of administration, the packing group assigned to the material shall be that indicated for the highest degree of toxicity for any of the routes of administration.
    4. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the packing group and hazard zone of a tear gas substance is as assigned in Column 5 of the 49CFR 172.101 Table.
  2. The packing group and hazard zone for Division 6.1 mixtures that are poisonous (toxic) by inhalation may be determined by one of the following methods:
    1. Where LC50 data is available on each of the poisonous (toxic) substances comprising the mixture-
      1. The LC50 of the mixture is estimated using the formula:
        where f i = mole fraction of the i th component of the liquid
        LC 50 i = means lethal concentration of the i th component substance in ml/m³
      2. The volatility of each component substance is estimated using the formula:
        where: Pi=partial pressure of the ith component substance in kPa at 20°C and one atmospheric pressure. Pi may be calculated according to Raoult's Law using appropriate activity coefficients. Where activity coefficients are not available, the coefficient may be assumed to be 1.0.
      3. The ratio of the volatility to the LC50 is calculated using the formula:
      4. Using the calculated values LC50 (mixture) and R, the packing group for the mixture is determined as follows:
        Packaging group (hazard zone)Ratio of volatility and LC50
        I (Hazard Zone A)R >= 500 and LC50 (mixture) <= 200 ml/m³.
        I (Hazard Zone B)R >= 10 and LC50 (mixture) <= 1000 ml/m³; and the criteria for Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A, are not met.
        IIR >= 1 and LC50 (mixture) <= 3000 ml/m³; and the criteria for Packing Group I, Hazard Zones A and B are not met.
        IIIR >= 1/5 and LC50 (mixture) <= 5000 ml/m³; and the criteria for Packing Groups I, Hazard Zones A, B and Packing Group II.
    2. In the absence of LC50 data on the poisonous (toxic) constituent substances, the mixture may be assigned a packing group and hazard zone based on the following simplified threshold toxicity tests. When these threshold tests are used, the most restrictive packing group and hazard zone must be determined and used for the transportation of the mixture.
      1. A mixture is assigned to Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A only if both the following criteria are met:
        1. A sample of the liquid mixture is vaporized and diluted with air to create a test atmosphere of 200 ml/m³ vaporized mixture in air. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere as determined by an analytical method appropriate for the material being classified for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have an LC50 equal to or less than 200 ml/m³.
        2. A sample of the vapor in equilibrium with the liquid mixture is diluted with 499 equal volumes of air to form a test atmosphere. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have a volatility equal to or greater than 500 times the mixture LC50.
      2. A mixture is assigned to Packing Group I, Hazard Zone B only if both the following criteria are met, and the mixture does not meet the criteria for Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A:
        1. A sample of the liquid mixture is vaporized and diluted with air to create a test atmosphere of 1000 ml/m³ vaporized mixture in air. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have an LC50 equal to or less than 1000 ml/m³.
        2. A sample of the vapor in equilibrium with the liquid mixture is diluted with 9 equal volumes of air to form a test atmosphere. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have a volatility equal to or greater than 10 times the mixture LC50.
      3. A mixture is assigned to Packing Group II only if both the following criteria are met, and the mixture does not meet the criteria for Packing Group I (Hazard Zones A or B):
        1. A sample of the liquid mixture is vaporized and diluted with air to create a test atmosphere of 3000 ml/m³ vaporized mixture in air. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have an LC50 equal to or less than 3000 ml/m³.
        2. A sample of the vapor in equilibrium with the liquid mixture is used to form a test atmosphere. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have a volatility equal to or greater than the mixture LC50.
      4. A mixture is assigned to Packing Group III only if both the following criteria are met, and the mixture does not meet the criteria for Packing Groups I (Hazard Zones A or B) or Packing Group II (Hazard Zone C):
        1. A sample of the liquid mixture is vaporized and diluted with air to create a test atmosphere of 5000 ml/m³ vaporized mixture in air. Ten albino rats (five male and five female) are exposed to the test atmosphere for one hour and observed for fourteen days. If five or more of the animals die within the fourteen-day observation period, the mixture is presumed to have an LC50 equal to or less than 5000 ml/m³.
        2. The vapor pressure of the liquid mixture is measured and if the vapor concentration is equal to or greater than 1000 ml/m³, the mixture is presumed to have a volatility equal to or greater than 1/5 the mixture LC50.

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Last updated: Feb 2007

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