Sanitzer...... A Dangerous Goods?
Dangerous Goods Management India Private Limited
DGM India Offers Comprehensive Logistics services and conducts classroom and online training on DGR and ATC courses.
Corona virus has created the biggest global risk to business and human population due to its fatal health hazard. Thanks to this disease, the two most important items in everybody household consumption basket is sanitizers and mask.
As the dangerous goods compliance and transport specialist, my interest lies in the innocuous sounding word “Sanitizer”. Primarily because until this item became the most exported items from India, nobody realized that this is considered dangerous goods as per the international Dangerous goods regulation. Some shippers and logistics players maybe unknowingly declaring them as non dangerous goods and shipping them. This is a clear case of how a product which is used to keep us safe can be dangerous. Herein lies the irony. For instance, Radioactive materials are used extensively for treating cancer and for various other medical and commercial applications. But its inappropriate use can cause irreversible damage to the DNA structure of human beings who may be affected by its radiation. Its radiations may cause deformities to offspring born to an affected parent or might be even fatal. Therefore, they are considered as Dangerous when being transported.
Similar is the case with Sanitizers. For sanitizers to be effective against germs especially of the type we are confronting currently, the Alcohol percentage must be more than 65%. At that level, the Flash point of the product can be anywhere in the range of 20OC (moderate risk) to 40OC (low risk) bringing it with the classification criteria of Flammable liquid (Class 3 where the Flash point ≤ 60OC). See the MSDS extract above (name of the manufacturer is deleted for privacy reasons)
So, it important for shipper to correctly determine the hazardous properties of their chemical product in order to classify and identify them correctly in accordance with the international dangerous goods transport regulation. Otherwise they could land in problem with global regulator notwithstanding the good job they are doing in the fight against the corona virus.
by Radharamanan Panicker
Director, DGM India Pvt. Ltd.
DGCA Approved DG Trainer(DGM India Pvt Ltd) 38 + yrs of Aviation Expertise NSDC Certified Master Trainer and Assessor ,ISO IMS Auditor ,, Aviation Instructor
4yThe detailed analysis of how the Sanitizer is prepared requires correct classification to ensure no article is moving in transport mode . Can be dangerous to handle enroute . Safety is first and only objective to protect human lives , property and environment .... These regulations must be read and understood so that commercial product made from chemical are safe to carry ...
Managing Director | Certified Dangerous Goods Professional | Dangerous Goods Instructor & Specialist
4yNice article to ensure safety in the Supply Chain and especially in Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods.