even death if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed by contact through the
skin. Class 6.1 materials are arranged in three packaging groups, in
descending order or risk.
The introduction to Class 6.1 sets the
criteria for this grouping.
Fire-fighting measures are basically the same as those given for
Class 3 (inflammable liquids). Because of the high risk of poisoning
through fumes, the IMDG code requires that ships carrying poisonous
substances always carry protective clothing and self-contained
breathing apparatus.
If leakage or spillage occurs involving toxic substances, such as
liquid pesticides, you should ensure decontamination is carried out
by trained staff wearing suitable protective clothing and equipment.
Class 6.2 includes substances containing viable microorganisms (or
their toxins) which are known, or suspected, to cause disease in
animals or humans.
The danger labels required for the various substances in this class
vary according to the substance's properties.
Most are required to
carry the "POISON" label.
Some carry a label indicating that the
substance is "HARMFUL" and should, therefore, be stowed away from
foodstuffs. In addition, further subsidiary labels may be required,
depending on the substance's properties.
Class 7 - Radioactive Substances (Materials)
The provisions of this class are based on the principles of the
International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe
Transport of Radioactive Materials, 1973 (as amended).
The
principles offer guidance to personnel involved in handling and
transporting radioactive materials in ports and on ships.
These
personnel ordinarily will not have to consult the IAEA regulations.
Packing, labeling, and placarding; stowage; segregation; and other
requirements vary according to the radioactivity of the material.
Radioactive substances are divided into three categories, depending
on radiation levels. Category I (white) is the least dangerous. The
labels for Categories II and III (yellow) are printed in yellow and
white for additional emphasis.
Class 8 - Corrosives
Substances in this class can damage living tissue and materials, in
some cases very severely.
Some of them give off irritating,
poisonous, or harmful vapors; others are poisonous in and of
themselves. Some are also inflammable or give off inflammable gases
under certain conditions.
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TR1029
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