NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-00-060
Recommendation
THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SAFETY PRODUCERS COMMITTEE: ASSIST THE FAA IN DEVELOPING GUIDANCE FOR AIR CARRIERS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF IDENTIFYING A HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SPILL AND ABOUT ITS HAZARDS. INCLUDE, AT A MINIMUM, THE FACT THAT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IS COLORLESS, HAS LITTLE ODOR, AND MAY BE MISTAKEN FOR WATER; THE GUIDANCE SHOULD ALSO WARN OF THE DANGER OF ALLOWING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TO DRY ON ORGANIC MATERIALS (INCLUDING PAPER, FABRIC, COTTON, AND LEATHER), WHICH MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Safety Issue and Context
ON THE MORNING OF 10/28/98, 2 GALLONS OF A 35-PERCENT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION IN WATER, AN OXIDIZER WITH CORROSIVE PROPERTIES, SPILLED IN A CARGO COMPARTMENT OF NORTHWEST AIRLINES (NORTHWEST) FLIGHT 957, A PASSENGER-CARRYING AIRPLANE EN ROUTE FROM ORLANDO, FLORIDA, TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THE SOLUTION LEAKED FROM TWO UNDECLARED 1-GALLON PLASTIC BOTTLES THAT HAD SPLIT. THE BOTTLES WERE IN AN ICE CHEST THAT BELONGED TO A PASSENGER ON THE FLIGHT. THE LEAKING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE CONTAMINATED THREE MAIL SACKS AND AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF BAGS.
Response History
October 6, 2003 · NTSB Correspondence · Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee
On January 3, 2002, the FAA reported that on October 11, 2001, the HPSPC and the Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) approved precautionary guidance for industry on the difficulty of identifying a hydrogen peroxide spill and the hazards associated with such spills. On November 28, 2001, the FAA incorporated this information into Dangerous Goods Advisory Bulletin (DGAB) 01-01, "Transportation of Hydrogen Peroxide (H202)." On April 3, 2002, the Safety Board responded to the FAA that the action taken by RSPA addressed Safety Recommendation A-00-51, which was classified "Closed--Acceptable Action."
The Safety Board has reviewed the copies of the enclosures to the October 22, 2001, letter. This information, developed by the HPSPC and issued by RSPA, fully addresses Safety Recommendation A-00-60, which is now classified "Closed--Acceptable Action." We commend the HPSPC for its prompt action and again apologize for our delayed response.
September 19, 2001 · NTSB Correspondence · Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee
The Safety Board appreciates the quick and helpful manner with which the HPSPC responded to this recommendation and encourages the HPSPC to work with the RSPA in developing the guidance material that the FAA will distribute to airlines. Copies of this letter and the ACC's June 11, 2001, letter are being sent to Ms. Goff at OIMHMP, to RSPA, and to the FAA. Pending development of the recommended guidance material in cooperation with RSPA, Safety Recommendation A-00-60 remains classified "Open--Acceptable Response."
June 11, 2001 · Recipient Response · Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee
Letter Mail Controlled 06/26/2001 10:18:08 AM MC# 2010518 In a letter dated June 8, 2000, the National Transportation Safety Board requested that members of the Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee (HPSPC) modify their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to include a warning about the danger of allowing hydrogen peroxide to dry on materials such as paper, cotton and other potentially combustible materials. Since then, the members of the HPSPC formed the Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) Panel of The American Chemistry Council, and members have added the warning to their HP MSDSs. Representative copies of amended MSDSs are enclosed with this letter.
The Panel also understands that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was interested in developing guidance for air carriers with respect to HP identification and risk management. Last year, the HPSPC contacted Mr. William Wilkening, Division Manager of the Dangerous Goods and Security Division of the FAA to initiate discussion on HP safety training. The HP Panel reiterates its interest in assisting with preparing guidance or training on the safe handling of HP. Please contact Bill Gulledge, the HP Panel Manager, in response to this letter and information submittal. He can be reached at (703) 74 l-56 13 or via email (william_gulledge@americanchemistry.com).
September 21, 2000 · NTSB Correspondence · Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee
PENDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS GUIDANCE, A-00-60 IS CLASSIFIED "OPEN--ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE."
July 24, 2000 · Recipient Response · Hydrogen Peroxide Safety Producers Committee
Letter Mail Controlled 07/31/2000 3:06:45 PM MC# 2000975 THE MEMBERS OF THE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SAFETY PRODUCERS COMMITTEE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT THIS PRODUCT IS PACKAGED, TRANSPORTED AND HANDLED IN A SAFE AND PROPER MANNER. WE WILL ASSIST THE FAA IN DEVELOPING GUIDANCE FOR AIR CARRIERS CONCERNING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE IDENTIFICATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT. AT THE SUGGESTION OF MR. JAMES HENDERSON, OF NTSB AND MR. RAPHAEL RAMOS OF THE FAA, WE WILL CONTACT MR. WILLIAM WILKENING, THE DIVISION MANAGER OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS AND SECURITY DIVISION OF THE FAA TO INITIATE DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SAFETY TRAINING.