Bottle Shipment Alert

DOT Regulations Affect Shipments of Nitric Acid Preserved Container Shipments

Recently the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented regulatory changes which are listed in the Code of Federal Register 49 CFR Part 173.4. These changes ban the air transportation of concentrated nitric acid preserved bottleware, which Analytical Laboratory Services, Inc. (ALSI) routinely ships to our clientele. Nitric acid is the preservative used in metal determination methodologies for aqueous sample matrices. As a result of the implementation of these regulations, ALSI will no longer be able to ship bottleware preserved with Nitric Acid (HNO₃) via air transportation. It is important to note that this regulation does not affect the return shipment of the filled sample containers which in effect causes a dilution of the HNO₃ preservative. To comply with these regulations, ALSI is asking our clientele to consider the following options:

• Review your bottle ordering procedures with consideration of the longer delivery times for HNO₃ bottleware. ALSI will only be allowed to ship HNO₃ preserved bottleware by ground transportation to your facility. Please allow 3-5 days notice to the lab to ensure timely receipt of your bottle order.
  
• With proper advanced notice, ALSI's field services staff could drop off preserved bottleware at your facility for a predetermined fee dependent upon the proximity of your facility to our routine courier routes.
  

We are currently investigating options for resuming the shipment of nitric acid by air and will keep you informed of the progress. This regulation does not affect the shipping of containers with other preservatives such as hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide or sodium bisulfate and pre-preserved methanol in exempt quantities per container.