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SOP No. 20.0 Sampling Shipping Procedures <br />Sample collection and all shipment activities will be under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI). <br />7. PROCEDURES <br />For shipping purposes, samples are segregated into two classes; environmental samples and restricted <br />articles (i.e., hazardous materials). Environmental samples can also be categorized based on expected <br />or historical analyte levels (i.e., low or high). An environmental sample is one that is not defined as a <br />hazardous material by the Department of Transportation (DOT, 49 CFR Part 171.8). The DOT defines <br />a "hazardous material" as a substance which has been determined by the Secretary of Transportation to <br />be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in <br />commerce, and which has been so designated. Any material of a suspected hazardous nature, <br />previously characterized as hazardous or known to be hazardous is considered a restricted article. <br />In general, the two major concerns in shipping samples are protecting the samples from incidental <br />breakage during shipment and complying with applicable DOT and courier requirements for restricted <br />article shipments. <br />Protecting the samples from incidental breakage can be achieved by following "common sense." All <br />samples should be packed in a manner that will not allow them to freely move about in the cooler or <br />shipping container. Glass surfaces should not be allowed to contact each other. When possible, repack <br />the samples in the same materials that they were originally received in from the laboratory. Each <br />container should be cushioned with plastic bubble wrap, styrofoam, or other nonreactive cushioning <br />material. Shipping hazardous materials should conform to the packaging, marking, labeling, and <br />shipping instructions identified in 49 CFR Parts 172 & 173. <br />Environmental samples shall be packed for shipment using the following procedures: <br />Select a sturdy cooler in good condition. Secure and tape the drain plug with fiber tape. Line the <br />cooler with a large, heavy-duty plastic bag. <br />2. Place 2-4 inches of bubble wrap or other packing material in the bottom of the cooler. <br />The sample packer should wear eye protection and protective gloves when handling the samples <br />during the packing process. <br />4. After ensuring that sample container lids are secure, place the bottles in separate and appropriately <br />sized Ziploc® polyethylene bags. Seal the bags with tape. <br />Wrap duplicate volatile organic (VOA) vials in one piece of bubble wrap or other packing material <br />as a "VOA sandwich." <br />6. Place the bottles in the cooler with sufficient space to allow for the addition of more bubble wrap or <br />other packing material between the bottles. Large or heavy sample containers should be placed on <br />the bottom of the cooler with lighter samples (i.e., VOAs) placed on top to eliminate breakage. <br />7. Put "wet ice" (i.e., ice packs) or ice that has been placed in sealed heavy-duty polyethylene bags on <br />top of or between the samples. Pack enough ice in the cooler to chill the samples during transit. If <br />the cooler is shipped on a Friday or Saturday for Monday delivery, double the amount of ice placed <br />in the cooler. Fill all remaining space with bubble wrap or other packing material. Securely fasten <br />the top of the garbage bag lining the cooler with tape. <br />8/05/08 Page 2 of 6 R Squared Inc.