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Class 6 - Toxic Substances
Class 6 covers substances that have been shown by animal experimentation to cause damage to human health or death, in single doses, or short duration. Toxic materials enter the body by skin absorption, ingestion, inhalation or injection (e.g. snake venom or needle-stick injuries) Class 6 has two subdivisions:
Class 6.1, Toxic materials Any material if taken to excess can be toxic to the human body, even over consumption of water is fatal. Therefore, strict definitions of toxicity have been set, defined by the LD50 and LC50 results. These are the Lethal Dose of solids or liquids, and the Lethal Concentration of vapour, mists and fine dusts sufficient to kill 50% of a population of laboratory animals. Note that the LC50 test is not for gases. These are assigned to Class 2.3, and can be viewed by clicking HERE. Under transport regulations any material meeting the toxicity criteria must bear a toxic label, however under the supply regulations (CHIP), lesser toxics may have a "Harmful" label - XH. The potential range of toxic materials that may be transported is vast, especially as so many materials also have a toxic subsidiary risk attached to them. Class 6.2, Infectious Substances This subdivision is devoted to bio-hazardous material that can cause disease. It is further sub-divided into the following groups:
Generally these items, other than clinical waste, are only transported in small quantities. Items such as blood for transfusion or human organs for transplantation are exempt from the ADR regulations. Unlike most Dangerous Goods, Class 6.2 are not divided up into Packing Groups, but two Risk Categories as below: Category A: An infectious substance which is carried in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease to humans or animals. these are assigned to UN numbers 2814 or 2900. Category B: Infectious substances not meeting the criteria to be assigned to Category A, which are assigned to UN 3373. A copy of the latest Approved List of Biological Agents has been published by The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP). This categorises occupational exposure to biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and prions. Click HERE to view a copy.(Adobe Reader required) ADR 2007 also includes lists of such agents. |
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