Transporting Biological Materials

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Transporting Biological Materials

Biological materials can be transported, either by hand or vehicle, between labs, building floors, and buildings on the U-M campus

INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALDEFINITION
Category AAn infectious substance which is transported in a form that, when exposure to it occurs, is capable of causing permanent disability, life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals.
Category BAn infectious substance which does not meet the criteria for inclusion in Category A. This can be human, animal, bacterial, viral, or fungal material transported for research, diagnosis, disease, or treatment.
Patient/Animal SpecimensPatient and animal specimens for which there is minimal likelihood that pathogens are present.
Chemical Preservatives (Dangerous Goods in Excepted Quantities)Biological specimens containing chemical preservatives such as ethanol, formaldehyde, or formalin.
Dry iceFrozen carbon dioxide that sublimates into gas.

The following substances are not required to follow the IATA or DOT regulations, but are still subject to U-M restrictions on moving materials around campus:

  • Materials that do not contain pathogens or only contains inactivated or neutralized pathogens
  • Environmental samples that do not pose a significant threat of infection (i.e, food, water soil, or dust samples)
  • Dried blood spots or fecal occult screening tests
  • Blood or blood components collected for the purpose of transfusion
  • Tissue or organs used for transplantation
  • Patient specimens

If you are not sure how to classify your materials or need additional information on shipping biological materials, please contact EHS Biological Safety for assistance at [email protected]

The M-Ship Shipping Service prepares packages of biological materials, including dry ice, for shipping for U-M research faculty and staff.  The shipping consultants at M-Ship will also prepare the appropriate documentation and paper work, including the commercial invoices required for international shipment.

There are three MShip locations.  They are located at Dock 90 at NCRC, Dock 6 at MSRB II and Dock 7 at BSRB.  Researchers may drop off their materials or the shipping consultants can pick up the materials at the lab location.  

This service, along with the dry ice, standard packing materials, and labels are of no cost to your department. However, each department is required to pay for the courier shipping fee; and personnel are required to complete the appropriate training courses to better communicate to the consultant the hazards and classification of the biohazardous substance or hazardous material.

Select the appropriate course below based on the material you intend to ship:

NOTE: Each course selected must be documented and completed every two years.

For more information, refer to one of the following resources:

Required Courses

Personnel who prepare biological materials for shipment, or will transport or receive biological material shipments, must be trained and certified by EHS.  In addition, they must maintain a copy of the training certificate (you can print a copy of your training certificate from My LINC).  The following courses are required, as appropriate, for each person engaged in shipping hazardous materials.  These courses must be taken every two years.

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