Chemicals & Samples at CNM

Plan your chemical use at CNM and for shipping samples back to your home institution

Only bring items not available at the CNM

The shipment of equipment and chemicals to the CNM that are required for the proposed research must be limited to items not available at the CNM. Please contact your CNM Scientific Contact before shipping equipment, chemicals or other materials. If the need for shipping materials is approved by the scientific contact, then try to arrange for direct shipment from the manufacturer or supplier to the CNM.

Plan in advance for chemical storage

Before you come to CNM, identify any special storage requirements for materials that you plan on shipping to the facility. Discuss this with your CNM Scientific Contact.

How to ship samples and equipment

You are required to comply with U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Argonne and CNM requirements for inbound and outbound shipping.

NOTE: You may NOT transport hazardous chemicals in your vehicle on Argonne’s site.

If you need to transport hazardous material to the CNM, contact support organizations at your home institution to determine what is permitted under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and DOT regulations. Each hazardous material shipped to the CNM must be accompanied by the most current safety data sheet (SDS; less than two years old).

Tip for successful shipping: Use FedEx if possible. Contractual arrangements are in place with Argonne to ensure correct and timely delivery.

How to ship non-hazardous materials

Non-hazardous samples (including dry shippers without liquid), materials and tools may be shipped to Argonne, or you may transport them yourself. Packages are delivered to the CNM Building 440 dock. Please contact your institution’s safety office for assistance with proper shipping methods. The CNM does not require SDSs for non-hazardous samples, but does require that this information accompany samples shipped to the CNM:

1. Available information characterizing known and suspected hazards;
2. Recommended precautions.

How to ship hazardous materials

Anything hazardous must be shipped and processed through Argonne’s hazardous materials receiving area. Special provisions may apply for small quantities and biohazards. If you need to transport hazardous material to the CNM, contact support organizations at your home institution to determine what is permitted under FAA and DOT regulations. Each hazardous material shipped to the CNM must be accompanied by the most current safety data sheet (SDS; less than two years old).

NOTE: Deliveries of hazardous materials will not be accepted at Argonne National Laboratory on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays.

All hazardous substances must packaged and labeled according to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations; otherwise, Argonne’s receiving staff will refuse to accept the shipment. Contact your institution’s safety office for assistance with proper shipping methods.

“Hazardous materials” are those identified as hazardous by DOT or International Air Transport Association (IATA), such as liquid nitrogen, propane, freon or ethane, and biological samples that are identified as hazardous by DOT or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How to make foreign shipments to Argonne

If you are shipping materials to Argonne from outside the United States, you are responsible for your own shipments, including all aspects of the U.S. customs clearing process. It’s recommended that you work with a customs broker who will file the necessary customs papers and expedite packages through customs.

Argonne will not act as importer, exporter, consignee or broker for your international shipments. You are responsible for any licenses, import duties, taxes, bonds, fees or other charges associated with importation or exportation.

How to take samples back to your home institution

Any non-hazardous samples that you’d like to continue to study when your time at CNM has concluded may be moved to your home institution. For shipment of hazardous chemicals and samples, please consult your CNM Scientific Contact. CNM’s Environment, Safety and Health Coordinator and Chemical Manager are available to advise on return shipping of hazardous and biological materials.

Return shipping

If you need to make special arrangements to return your material(s), contact your CNM Scientific Contact for help.

Tip: When scheduling a nonhazardous return shipment with FedEx, speak directly to a person and specify the exact building.

How to dispose of your chemical waste

Chemical and hazardous wastes must be collected in designated containers and waste accumulation areas at the CNM. Users may not take or ship their waste off-site. You will be trained by CNM staff on the disposition of waste as well as the handling and labeling of chemical containers. Hazardous waste can never be poured down the drain or on the ground.

To dispose of your hazardous waste, someone from your research group and a CNM staff member must be aware of the history of the materials comprising the waste. They will have to indicate whether the material has been used in a location where it has been subject to activation or radiological contamination. Although there are disposal alternatives for chemicals that have an unknown history, they are more expensive, and the CNM seeks to avoid these additional costs.