Reproduced from ASM News, 
Vol. 54, No. 5, May 1988 
Features 
Packaging and Shipping of 
Cultures and Biological 
Materials 
Many regulations and guidelines assist — but do not ensure — 
trouble-free package delivery 
M. T. Alexander and P.-M. Daggett 
The shipping of biological materials is currently 
subject to reasonably stable regulations. Although 
individual investigators may find the regulations cum- 
bersome and somewhat confusing, there are sound 
reasons for following proper procedures. They are 
designed to allow the safe and efficient movement of 
biological materials throughout this country and the 
world. Ignoring the rules could lead to penalties for the 
individual who takes this risk and could also under- 
mine official agreements, w’hich even now remain 
fragile. 
Indeed, no matter how well proper procedures for 
packaging, labeling, and shipping biological materials 
are followed, some incidents demonstrate just how 
delicate the agreements continue to be. For instance, 
airline pilots, claiming the prerogatives of captains of 
their ships, sometimes reject properly labeled pack- 
ages containing biologicaJ materials. Occasionally, 
such rejections occur even before the captain comes on 
the scene. 1 
Such peremptory actions demonstrate that key 
words on container labels, such as "Germs,” "Etiologic 
Agents,” and 'Infectious Substance,” elicit strong fears 
from some people. In attempts to overcome such fears 
among employees in the airline industry and other 
freight handlers, investigators w r ho ship biological 
Af. T. Alexander is director of operations at the 
American Type Culture Collection. P.-M. Daggett is 
head of the Protistology Department of the American 
Type Culture Collection and Chairman of the ASM 
Committee on Culture Collections. 
Recombinant DNA Research, Volume 13 
materials must, above all, show patience. The follow- 
ing brief review of rules for shipping biologicaJ mate- 
rials should clarify the responsibilities shared by all 
those who prepare such materials. Improved adher- 
ence to the rules could benefit both investigators and 
freight handlers. 
Regulations for Permits and Labeling 
Many laboratories must follow regulations and 
guidelines for shipping biological materials that are 
defined in the International Mail Manual (IMM 137.2). 
Included are (i) laboratories of local, state, and federal 
government agencies; (ii) laboratories of federally li- 
censed manufacturers of biological substances derived 
from microorganisms; (iii) laboratories affiliated with 
or operated by hospitals, universities, research facili- 
ties, and other teaching institutions; and (iv) private 
laboratories licensed, certified, recognized, or approved 
by a public authority. 
Many diagnostic specimens and biological products 
are exempt from the regulations. For example, such 
materials are not considered dangerous provided they 
do not contain, or are reasonably believed not to 
contain, an infectious substance. Diagnostic specimens 
are any human or animal material, including, but not 
limited to, excreta, secreta, blood and its components, 
tissue, and tissue fluids being shipped for purposes of 
diagnosis. Beginning in 1988, the guidelines have 
explicitly highlighted the fact that any specimens from 
individuals who might have acquired immunodefi- 
ciency syndrome (AIDS) are not exempt. Biological 
products include live human and other animal vac- 
cines or finished biological products for human or 
ASM News 
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