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Shipping Infectious Substances & Diagnostic Specimens

Anyone shipping dangerous goods (such as infectious, biological, chemical or radioactive materials) is required to receive special (IATA) training.

For assistance in shipping chemical dangerous goods, call 935-4650 at Hilltop or 362-6735 at the Medical School.

For assistance in shipping infectious or diagnostic materials, call 362-6930.

For assistance in shipping radioactive material, call 362-3479.

Shippers are directly responsible for the correct and legal transport of dangerous goods by surface or air. Anyone who offers advice for transport, ships, or receives hazardous materials must be trained.
(49 CFR Part 172- Subpart H).

IATA Guidance Document for Shipping Infectious Substances

DOT Guide to Transporting Infectious Substances Safely
(Effective October 1, 2006)

United States Postal Service (USPS) New Mailing Standards and Packaging Requirements for Division 6.2 Infectious Substances
(Effective November 1, 2006)

• Checklist for Shipping
• Classification of Infectious Agents
• DOT Security Awareness Training for all shippers and carriers of hazardous materials
• Helpful Resources
• IATA Regulations: New Changes 2005
• Import/Export Permit Information
• FedEx International Tools for determining required shipping documentation (requires free registration with FedEx.com)
• New Retention Rule for HazMat Shipping Papers
• Training Schedule

CHEMTREC: 1-800-424-9300 (24-hour emergency #)

Washington University is authorized to use the CHEMTREC toll-free, 24-hour emergency telephone number for shipments of hazardous materials. Please use the CHEMTREC number as your "emergency contact number" when completing the shippers declaration for dangerous goods, under the Additional Handling Information section.