New York company face hefty penalty for shipping flammable cargo

New York based company, Alfa Chemistry, has reportedly been given a potential $325,000 fine. This has come as a result of the company having sent two shipments of toxic, flammable cargo via air freight.

Requesting the civil penalty is the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Alfa Chemistry shipped, approximately, one pint of Acrolein on a FedEx flight, with a further three pints on another flight.

Acrolein is highly dangerous and can become explosive when in contact with air. It is considered a poisonous and toxic substance, as well as being classed a flammable liquid when referenced under official hazardous materials regulations.

A statement was released by the FAA, stating that “when FedEx personnel tried to inspect the second shipment of Acrolein at the FedEx sort facility in Peabody, Massachusetts, it began emitting a strong, pungent odour.” They also said that a FedEx employee was forced to wear protective clothing in order to inspect the shipment safely.

The FAA also said the material, which is “forbidden” on both passenger and cargo aircraft, did not have the required “shipping papers or emergency response information”. It is also thought that Alfa Chemistry do not “properly train and test” the employees who are responsible for packaging up the material.

Alfa Chemistry was given 30 days in which they can challenge the charges.

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