Table B-2. Hazard Characteristic Code Definitions
A1 - Radioactive Material, Licensed. Any radioactive material that requires the issuance of a specific or
general license, according to Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), to persons who manufacture, produce,
transfer, receive, possess, acquire, own, or use by-product material. Each package of radioactive shall be labeled
and marked for transportation purposes in accordance with US Department of Transportation (DOT), Title 49
CFR.
A2 - Radioactive Material, License Exempt. Any radioactive material that does not require the issuance of a
specific or general license according to Title 10, CFR, Parts 30 and 40. The package shall be labeled and marked,
if required, in accordance with Title 49 CFR, if any material has a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries
per gram (Ci/g).
A3 - Radioactive Material, License Exempt, Authorized. Radioactive material, exempt from specific or
general license requirements of Title 10, CFR, but for which the appropriate military services or agency
representative has determined that an authorization or permit is required for the receipt, transfer, ownership,
possession, or use. Included are electron tubes, smoke detectors, or other devices containing material not
exceeding the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license-exempt quantities listed in Title 10, CFR.
B1 - Alkali, Corrosive, Inorganic. An inorganic alkali (not hydrocarbon based), either liquid or solid, meeting
the definition of a Corrosive Material (Class 8) under DOT Title 49, Section 173.136, or EPA 40 CFR 370.2, or
OSHA 1910.1200, Appendix A that causes visible destruction or irreversible alterations in human skin tissue at
the site of contact, or a liquid that has a severe corrosion rate on steel or aluminum, in accordance with any one of
the following criteria:
(a) A material is considered to be destructive or to cause irreversible alteration in human skin tissue if, when
tested on the intact skin of an albino rabbit, the structure of the tissue at the site of contact is destroyed or changed
irreversibly after an exposure period of 4 hours or less; or
(b) A liquid is considered to have a severe corrosion rate if its corrosion rate exceeds 6.25 mm (0.246 inches)
per year on steel (SAE 1020) or aluminum (nonclad 7075-T6) at a test temperature of 55oC (131oF). An
acceptable test is described in NACE Standard TM-01-69; or
(c) It is aqueous and has a pH in aqueous solution greater than or equal to 12.5 as determined by the test method
specified in Title 40 CFR, Section 261.22.
B-3
