A substance or a product can be dangerous or not dangerous. A
substance or a product that is not dangerous per se may become
dangerous, depending on the means of transportation and if the
substance or the product is transported together with other
substances.
In transport situations, the concept of dangerous goods includes
a variety of different substances and products that in one way or
the other may imply risks for health, safety, property, or the
environment when transported or used. There are substances and
products that are so dangerous that they cannot be transported by
air under any circumstance.
In general, a transport means varying strains on the goods
because of variations in temperature and pressure but also
vibrations. It means that the risk for damages increases in
proportion to the risk when the goods are handled on one location.
The reason transportation is allowed is because the modern industry
society cannot function without the dangerous goods, and thereby
cannot do without transporting it. Most types of goods are
dangerous. That means that they have deleterious characteristics,
depending on disadvantageous external factors. Some risks and
dangers may be predicted in some types of goods, while others
cannot be predicted without special knowledge of the
characteristics of the goods.
Dangerous goods are categorized in different classes depending
on their specific characteristics, and with that, their level of
dangerousness. Every class has a number of subcategories. The
content of the subcategories is not exhaustive, but it covers the
main part of the commercially most significant substances with
dangerous characteristics.
-
Class 1: Explosive substances and objects
Ammunition, explosives, ignition substances and pyrotechnical
products. The most common pyrotechnical products are fireworks and
pyrotechnical safety equipment. Explosive products are used in a
large number of situations. The big users are explosive and
ammunition manufacturers, the Armed Forces, mining companies,
construction companies and firework importers. Pyrotechnical safety
equipment is mostly used in vehicles, especially in airbags and
seat belt pre-tensioners. Explosive substances can exist in a solid
or liquid form.
-
Class 2: Gases
Inflammable and non inflammable gases, toxic gases such as hair
spray, bottled gas, spray paint, insecticides in spray form, diving
tubes, oxygen, welding gases etc.
-
Class 3: Inflammable liquids
Fuel (petrol, diesel, ethyl alcohol), certain perfumes,
cigarette lighters, alcoholic beverages (70%), fire-lighting fluids
etc.
-
Class 4: Inflammable solid substances
Inflammable solid substances such as matches and metal powder,
self-ignition substances such as carbon and fishmeal, and
substances that generate inflammable gas when in contact with
water, such as potassium and magnesium powder.
-
Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
Bleaching agents, certain hair products and acids etc.
-
Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
Toxic substances such as mercurial combinations and cyanides,
but also contagious substances such as bacteria, living viruses and
laboratory samples.
-
Class 7: Fire detectors
Certain measuring instruments and certain pacemakers.
-
Class 8: Corrosive substances
Corrosive substances such as batteries and acetic acid.
-
Class 9: Other hazardous substances
Vehicles, power saws, batteries, battery-powered equipment,
asbestos, dry ice and certain first aid kit products.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the Dangerous
Goods Group at the Swedish Transport Agency by e-mail: dgrbyair@transportstyrelsen.se.