Happy New Year to all
With regard the postal regulations 602 these have been in use for many
years for the conveyance of specimens using air frieght - whilst i the
forces (UK) we used to send histology specimens from all over the place
to the UK for processing.
For a universal of formalin it was wrapped in tissue paper and sealed in
plastic tubing, a label placed on the outside of the plastic tube. Then
wrapped in more tissue paper and then placed inside a metal (aluminium)
container, screw cap, and then placed inside another metal screw cap,
container, and then placed inside a cardboard box and labelled the
apprpriate customs declaration form (green one from POst ofices) and the
international "Infectious Agents" label. This was perfectly acceptable
to international air carriers - a word of warning / interest if a
formalin container leaked during transit it was common practice for the
whole consignment to be burnt immediately that is the whole bag of post
it may be in.
For larger specimens the specimen was wrapped in dampened tissue and
sealed inplastic and repeated three times and placed in a cardoard box
with copious absorbent tissue - this was suitable for a whole leg from
Nepal to reach UK, followed by an arm and brain in later months.
The aluminium containers were quite cheap and available in a variety of
sizes if you do not send many specimens away thsi may be a chaeper
alternative than relying on the return package service provided that I
think will cost more along withthe commercial packaging than an
aluminium container.

regards to all

Nigel








In message <199812241132.LAA12998@gateway.nayrshire.scot.nhs.uk>, Alex
Brown <AlexB@nayrshire.scot.nhs.uk> writes
>Hi Russ,
>       These things are sent to try us !!!  An interesting point tho' ,
>is a specimen transported in formalin an 'infectious substance' ??  In
>some ways I suppose it depends on the specimen e.g. CJD specimens would
>obviously still be classed as 'infectious'. We tend not to send too many
>specimens by Royal Mail, but I intend checking what's listed in WHO Risk
>Groups 1,  2,  and 3.   As for the 'packaging' I haven't seen any as
>yet, but it would be interesting to know if they include the 'absorbent
>material' the guidelines refer to. A few of the suppliers of the
>packaging have web sites, so I'll have look when I get the chance.
>               Have a 'Merry' festive season one and all,
>
>                       Alex. Brown
>                       Crosshouse Hospital
>                       Kilmarnock, Scotland.
>
> ----------
>From: RUSS ALLISON
>To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
>Subject: New postal regulations
>Date: 22 December 1998 08:07
>
>Mainly to UK histologists.
>
>Have you seen the new Postal Regulations for infectious substances
>which come into effect Jan 1st 1999?  Regs known as U.N. 602
>Obliquely related I know, but would be interested to know what
>packaging being used for fixed tissue coming to the lab by post. I am
>thinking particularly of commercial packaging and about the Post
>Office "return container" service.
>
> My guess is that there would be some argument about whether tissue
> - formalised or not, forgive the word - was infectious, especially
>given those little p's.
>Russ Allison, Wales
>

--
N Kenneison