Drums and Portable Containers

Hazardous materials may be shipped in a variety of containers, including bottles, bags, drums, boxes, and portable tanks. You might encounter containers of hazardous materials inside a shipping container, box truck, rail car, or warehouse.

Generally, more strongly reinforced and durable containers are more likely to contain hazardous materials. To identify the container's contents, check for attached labels or tags and for printed documentation. More tips on where to look for identifying informationMore tips on where to look for identifying information

To identify the contents of a container, check for:

Attached label or tag.听Look on each container for markings or on an attached label or tag showing (a) the shipping nameOr 'proper shipping name'. Either: (a) the specific name of a hazardous material that is frequently shipped (e.g., 'Ammonia, anhydrous'), or (b) the generic name for a less frequently shipped hazardous material, which categorizes the material by its family, its use, or a key characteristic (e.g., 'Acids, n.o.s.' or 'Flammable solids, n.o.s.'). of the substance in the container and (b) the UN/NA numberUnited Nations-North American number. (Also UN number or DOT number.) Four-digit number identifying an individual chemical or group of chemicals with similar characteristics. Required on shipping papers; often shown on placards. The four-digit number is often preceded by UN (such as UN1219). for the hazardous material it contains.
Hazard label.听Any hazmat container also should display a diamond-shaped label depicting the enclosed material's hazards.
Shipping papers or cargo manifest. Look for these documents for the vessel or vehicle carrying the portable container; the documents should list the UN/NA number and name for each hazardous material. (Where can I find shipping papers or cargo manifests?)听On shipping papers or cargo manifestsDocument describing the contents of a shipment., look for the听 UN/NA number and shipping name for each hazardous material. Below is an example of how these identifiersNames, identification numbers, and other information used to identify a chemical. might be shown on a shipping paper. The shipping papers also show each substance's hazard class or division number (shown below after听the shipping name), which indicates its hazards.

A sample excerpt from a shipping paper, showing how the UN/NA numbers and shipping names might appear.

Note: Multiple substances sometimes share the same UN/NA number. To be sure of a chemical identification, look for other identifiers, such as the shipping name (shown on shipping papers, cargo manifests, and container tags and labels).

Note: Shipping documents, labels, and placards sometimes contain errors. Chemical names are often misspelled on shipping documents, and a small error of a letter or two can make a big difference.听Use as many information sources as you can to identify the container's contents.听

Once you have听found identifiers for the chemical, you can look up its datasheet in CAMEO 365bet娱乐.

Click on the link below each picture to see a description of that type of container and its possible contents.

Drawing of a portable tank.

Portable Tanks and Bulk TotesPortable Tanks and Bulk Totes

May contain flammableEasy to ignite and burns readily., combustibleCan be ignited and burned., toxicPoisonous; can injure or kill people or other organisms., or corrosiveLiquid or solid that can destroy human skin or lung tissue or corrode metals. liquids, as well as non-hazardous materials.
Capacities and dimensions vary. Some portable tanks hold up to 550 gallons; a common tote capacity is 300 gallons.
Typically transported on flatbed trucks, box trailers, and rail flatcars.
May be composed of ABS plastic, steel, aluminum, or other materials.

Drawing of a chemical drum.

DrumsDrums

Drums contain a wide variety of solid and unpressurized liquid hazardous materials. The construction material of a drum is a clue to its contents:

Unlined听fiberboard: dry granular materials (e.g., fertilizer, sawdust, and grain)
Plastic-lined fiberboard: wet materials (e.g., foods and slurries)
Plastic: corrosiveLiquid or solid that can destroy human skin or lung tissue or corrode metals. materials (e.g., sodium hydroxide and acids), combustibleCan be ignited and burned. materials, some foods
Steel: flammableEasy to ignite and burns readily. and combustible materials (e.g., alcohols and fuel oils), mild corrosives, food liquids
Stainless steel: strong corrosives (e.g., oleumOr fuming sulfuric acid. The mixture of sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide.)
Aluminum: pesticides, materials that react with steel and cannot be shipped in plastic containers

Drums vary from 1鈥�95 gallons in capacity; a typical capacity is 55 gallons.

CylindersCylinders

Cylinders transport and store many different hazardous pressurized gases (e.g., chlorine and hydrogen). Special insulated cylinders are used to carry cryogenicVery low temperature. gases.
Cylinders range in capacity from about 1 pound to thousands of pounds, and internal pressures range from about 200 to 5,000 psiPounds per square inch; a unit of pressure measurement..
Most cylinders have pressure relief valves that allow gas to escape if the cylinder is overpressurized or heated in a fire, preventing dangerous pressure buildup.

Drawing of a bottle.

BottlesBottles

Bottles鈥攚hich can be made of glass, metal, or plastic鈥攃an contain hazardous liquids.
Bottles range in capacity from about an ounce to a gallon.
Bottles are often transported packed within cardboard boxes.

Drawing of a box.

Cardboard BoxesCardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes can carry hazardous materials (such as pesticides and household products) as well as hazardous liquids packed in bottles.
Cardboard boxes lined in plastic may carry hazardous liquids.

Drawing of a bag.

BagsBags

Bags鈥攚hich can be paper, plastic, or fiber (reinforced or not)鈥攁re often used as containers for chemicals and pesticides, as well as food.
Very large reinforced polypropylene bags (called "supersacks") may carry hazardous solids.