The shipping process
Using hazardous materials is an integral part of research at Iowa State University. Sometimes, it is necessary to ship these hazardous materials to a colleague, another research facility, a field research site, or the manufacturer. Hazardous materials may include such items as:
- Laboratory chemicals
- Radioactive materials
- Compressed gases
- Biological agents
- Diagnostic specimens
- Animal or human tissues, blood, serum, etc.
- Equipment or instruments that contain hazardous materials
- Lithium batteries
- Dry ice
When UPS, FedEx, or another commercial carrier offers these materials for transport, that shipment is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and/or international agencies (IATA, ICAO).
To comply with shipping regulations, these materials must be properly classified, packaged, documented, and handled by trained employees. Failure to meet these regulatory requirements may result in citations, fines, and/or imprisonment. Fines can range from $250 to $250,000 per violation.
Review the Hazardous Materials Shipping Guide (PDF), then submit the Hazardous Materials Shipping Form. EH&S will assist you with package selection, material classification, and documentation.