Search

Calculating RQ for Hazmat Mixtures and Solutions

Posted on 6/22/2021 by Roseanne Bottone and Roger Marks

In a recent blog, we discussed shippers’ responsibilities for offering a reportable quantity (RQ) of a hazardous substance for transportation.

To recap, not all DOT hazardous materials are hazardous substances. DOT lists hazardous substances in Appendix A to the 172.101 Hazmat Table. When shipping a single hazardous substance, identifying the RQ and ensuring compliance is relatively straightforward.

But what if you ship a mixture or solution?

In order for a mixture or solution to be regulated as a hazardous substance, two things must be true. A mixture or solution is regulated as a hazardous substance only when it is: 
  • In a quantity, in one package, which equals or exceeds the reportable quantity (RQ) listed in the appendix A to § 172.101, AND
  • In a concentration by weight which equals or exceeds the concentration corresponding to the RQ of the material, as shown in the table found in 49 CFR 171.8, as part of DOT’s definition of hazardous substance.
The RQ concentration table provides a concentration percentage by weight for each RQ assigned to a substance in 172.101 Appendix A—5,000 lbs., 1,000 lbs., 100 lbs., 10 lbs. and 1 lbs.
 
reportable quantity RQ concentration range table 49 CFR 172.101 appendix A

Example
Say you have a mixture that contains benzene. Benzene is a hazardous substance with a reportable quantity of 10 pounds, according to the 172.101 Table, Appendix A.

When we consult the concentration chart, we see that a substance with a 10-pound RQ must also make up 0.02% (or 200 parts-per-million) or more of a mixture or solution in order to be regulated as a hazardous substance.

Therefore, if your mixture or solution contains 0.02% or more of benzene (by weight) AND that represents at least 10 lbs. of benzene, you must mark RQ on the shipping papers and on a non-bulk package.

When is a mixture or solution that contains a hazardous substance regulated as a hazardous substance?
  • If it meets the percentage AND meets or exceeds the RQ quantity, it is regulated as a hazardous substance.
  • If it meets the percentage, but not the RQ, it is not regulated as a hazardous substance
  • If it meets the RQ, but not the percentage, it is not regulated as a hazardous substance

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

In-flight hazmat incidents can be disastrous. This guide gives 5 tips for first-time air shippers to consider before offering dangerous goods for transportation on passenger or cargo aircraft.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.