| | An infectious substance is defined by Transport Canada as one that is “known or reasonably believed to contain viable micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, fungi and other agents such as prions that are known or reasonably believed to cause disease in humans or animals and that are listed in Appendix 3 to Part 2, Classification, or that exhibit characteristics similar to a substance listed in Appendix 3.”
Link to Appendix 3: http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/part2.htm#app3
Transportation of infectious substances within Canada falls under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR) administered by Transport Canada. Amendment 6 of these regulations published by Transport Canada was posted February 20, 2008. This amendment served to align the TDGR with current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
Reclassification of Infectious Substances
Essentially, Amendment 6 repeals the definitions “diagnostic specimen” and “risk group” and reclassifies infectious substances into two categories, A and B which are listed in Appendix 3 of the TDG regulations. Category A includes United Nations number UN 2814 Infectious substances affecting humans and UN 2900 Infectious substances affecting animals only. It is important to note, however, that as new diseases emerge, additions to Category A may be made. At this point in time, many specimens sent by veterinary clinics will fall under Category B. Therefore shipments to labs, clinics, and agencies containing a specimen for testing will be classified a dangerous good and in this case shipped under UN 3373 as a Biological Substance, Category B.
Note: There is an exception to infectious substances which is found in Section 1.42 of Amendment 6 of the regulations; please review at the following link: http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2008/2008-02-20/html/sor-dors34-eng.html
Packaging and Shipping
Specimens sent as Biological Substance, Category B must be packaged according to IATA Dangerous Goods Packing Instruction (PI) 650. The primary packaging must be leak proof (for liquid specimens) or sift proof (solid specimens). Secondary packaging must be leak proof and the outer packaging rigid. The packaging must be capable of passing a 1.2m drop test. For the liquid specimens, the primary receptacle or secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding an internal pressure of 95kPa. Absorbent material must be placed in the shipping container in case of spills. There are also specific labeling and packing requirements. Infectious substance, Category A specimens have additional packing and labeling requirements and must be shipped as PI 602.
Canada Post states that infectious specimens must not be sent by regular mail.
Training
The regulations require that anyone handling, shipping or receiving dangerous goods possess a valid Dangerous Goods Training Certificate or be under direct supervision of a person possessing a certificate. Training must updated every two years for shipping by air, and every three years for shipping by ground.
References
SafTPak, Shipping Class 6.2 Dangerous Goods, Biological substances and Dry ice
http://www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/overview.htm
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/lbg-ldmbl-04/ch10-eng.php
For further information, please contact Joan St. Amand at 403 948 8579 or email: joan.st.amand@gov.ab.ca
Joan St. Amand, Senior Laboratory Technologist, Food Safety Division, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Airdrie, AB |
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