B-16. Handling and Packaging Materials
Materials used for packaging samples/specimens primarily consist of Mylar collection bags, TeflonTM specimen jars and tubes, pigs and piglettes, ice chests, sealing materials, and wrapping and cushioning supplies.
a. Collection Bag. Use the Mylar bag as the initial container for such samples as protective masks and filter canisters, individual antidote and decon kits, munition fragments, and other items too large to place in a specimen jar. Use it also to package sample/specimen containers to ensure a vapor barrier in case the container is broken in transit. The bag acts as an initial or secondary vapor barrier to prevent air from leaking inward and toxic material outward. Follow the procedures below when using the bag.
- If packaging a specimen container or nonenvironmental sample/specimen, first, verify it has a sample/specimen number. Carefully place the sample/specimen in a bottom corner of the Mylar bag.
- Squeeze all the air out of the bag and seal it by removing the adhesive's protective strip, and pressing the two sides together.
- Place a piece of 2-inch-wide fiber or cloth tape across the end of the bag that you just sealed to reseal the Mylar bag on the outside. This serves as extra insurance in case the internal seal is broken.
- With the bag lying in front of you and the seal at the top, fold the bag across its width to as small a size as possible without damaging the sample/specimen. At this point, use tape to hold the fold. Next, fold the bag from the top down to the bottom of the bag to as small a size as possible. The sealing of the bag is the most critical step during the packaging process.
- At this point, turn the bag over and use a marker or file label to put the sample/specimen number on the outside of the bag so that analysis center personnel can identify the sample/specimen.
- Place the folded Mylar bag in a clear plastic reclosable bag, if available. Following the same steps you used for the Mylar bag, fold and seal the plastic bag. When this has been completed, again mark the sample/specimen number on the exterior of the bag.
b. Glass Specimen Jars and Polypropylene Tubes. Use glass containers to hold small environmental samples, water samples, and medical and post mortem specimens. Use polypropylene containers to hold medical specimens such as blood or urine. Polypropylene containers may be used for post mortem specimens if required; however, glass containers are preferred. The use of glass rather than plastic containers is preferred for environmental samples because toxic agents may leach chemicals from plastics into a sample, introducing contamination and confusing the analysis efforts.
- If the container has a screw-on lid, place TeflonTM plumber's tape (NSN 8030-00-889-3535; Tape, Antiseize) on the threads of the container before putting on the lid. This helps to limit the leakage of liquids and vapor from the container and to assure the lid will not fall off while in transit. If the lid has a cardboard liner, remove the liner and replace it with one or two layers of parafilm (a laboratory sealant film).
- Once the lid is on, stretch parafilm around the outside of the container at the junction of the lid and the glass. Two wraps of the film are enough to provide a leakage barrier and more assurance that the lid cannot fall off.
- At this point, ensure the sample/specimen number is on the outside of the container. Use a diamond etching pencil or an adhesive label to put the sample/specimen number on the exterior of the container.
c. Six-Pound Metal Can. Use metal cans as the external container for packaging small items that have been sealed in Mylar bags, specimen jars, and polypropylene tubes containing medical specimens. The metal can helps absorb shock from rough handling during shipment and eliminates the spread of contamination if a specimen container is broken. The six-pound metal can is capable of holding more than one sample/specimen (depending upon size of samples/specimens).
- Before placing samples/specimens in the can for shipping, ensure a sample/specimen number is assigned and is visible on each item.
- Place about 1 to 2 inches of packing material in the bottom of the can.
- Wrap jars and tubes in plastic bubble wrap or ⅛- to ¼-inch-thick foam rubber sheeting, secure the wrap with tape or a rubber band, and place the wrapped item in the can.
- If bubble wrap or foam rubber is not available, use newspaper. The guiding principle is that the sample/specimen containers should fit snugly and not be able to move in the can.
d. Ice Chest. Standard polyethylene or metal ice chests are the most easily procured items used for transworld shipment of CB samples/specimens. The most easily used size is about 24 inches long by 18 inches high by 15 inches deep. This size permits the sender to ship two or three 6-pound metal cans in each chest with sufficient dry ice to maintain freezing temperatures for about four days. Also, each chest remains at a weight that one individual can handle.