Shipping Blood and Other Human Materials

Transcription

1 Shipping Blood and Other Human Materials Infectious Substances are Divided into Two Shipping Categories Category A An infectious substance which is transported in a form that, when exposure to it occurs is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in humans or animals. Category B An infectious substance that does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A. 1

2 However; Many Human Materials are Not Subject to Shipping Regulations Patient specimens Blood or blood components which have been collected for transfusion Tissues and organs used for transplantation or research Patient Specimens Patient specimens for which there is only a minimal likelihood that infectious materials are present are exempt from the shipping regulations. They can include: Excrement Urine Saliva Blood and blood components Tissue and tissue fluids 2

3 Packaging of Patient Specimens Patient specimens must be packaged as follows with the words Exempt Human Specimen written on the outer package. Specimens must be initially placed in a leak proof primary receptacle. This primary container must be placed in a leak proof secondary receptacle with ample absorbent to absorb the contents in the primary vessel. The secondary container must then be placed in ridged outer packaging such as a card board box that has adequate strength for the shipping process. If directional arrows are marked on the box, place specimen samples in direction with the arrows. Packaging of Patient Specimens Primary and secondary containers may or may not be ridged, but they must be leak proof. Absorbent must be placed between the primary and secondary containers. It is optional whether a biohazard symbol be placed on the interior containers; however, never place this symbol on the outer container of an exempt package. Place a manifest or description of the material being shipped (e.g. human blood) between the secondary and outer containers. 3

4 Biological Substance Category B Occasionally a study may opt to send the specimens Category B. If this is the case, the study coordinator should supply the packaging materials. Shipping as a Biological Substance Category B material, Packaging Instruction 650 from the Dangerous Goods Regulations must be used. Though similar to the packing instructions for exempt materials, it differs slightly: Primary receptacle-leak proof 1 L max Secondary package - with absorbent material Rigid outer packaging 4 L max Biological Substance Category B Though Biological Substance Category B is assigned for packages that have greater biological risk than the exempt packages, many outfits opt to ship Cat. B A United Nations number is given to all regulated packages. This number must be written on the outer package. Biological Substance Cat. B is given a UN number of UN The words Biological Substance Category B must also be written on the outer package. DO NOT ship Category B unless, shipping materials designed for Cat. B are provided or purchased. 4

5 Package Marking and Labeling Exempt Patient Specimens Biological Substance Category B Label Exempt Human Specimen must be written on the outer package. Documentation Neither packages shipped as Exempt or Cat. B need a Declaration of Dangerous Goods. No additional carrier surcharge will be assessed. For Exempt packages write the words Exempt Human Specimen on the airway bill. For Cat. B shipments write the words Biological Substance Category B, UN3373 on the airway bill. 5

6 Shipping with Dry Ice If Dry ice is to be included with the shipment, it must NEVER be placed in the leak-proof primary or secondary containers since this can cause a pressure build up and explosion. Place the secondary container into a dry ice shipping container, and finally place the cooler into a cardboard box. Though dry ice shipments are considered Exempt, the following must be marked on the package: Dry Ice, UN1845 Net weight of the dry ice in kilograms DOT Class 9 Miscellaneous Label Shipping with Dry Ice The words Dry Ice, UN 1845 as well as the dry ice weight must also be written on the airway bill. A Properly Labeled and Marked Cat. B shipment in dry ice is as below: Biological substance, Category B UN3373 Dry Ice UN kg. 6

7 Questions? For any Questions with regard to shipping of biological materials please contact: Mike Kivistik Senior Laboratory Safety Specialist Environmental Health and Safety University of Nevada, Reno Office Phone: (775)