Ask X3What does 49 CFR 173.453 (Fissile materials—exceptions) require?
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Based on 49 CFR 173.453, fissile materials that meet the requirements of at least one of the paragraphs (a) through (f) are excepted from the specific subpart requirements for fissile materials (including §§ 173.457 and 173.459). However, they remain subject to all other requirements of that subpart, except as noted.
Here are the practical exceptions provided in the regulation:
* (a) Small quantities: An individual package containing 2 grams or less of fissile material.
* (b) Bulk or individual packages with solid nonfissile material: An individual or bulk packaging containing 15 grams or less of fissile material, provided there is at least 200 grams of solid nonfissile material for every gram of fissile material. *(Note: Lead, beryllium, graphite, and hydrogenous material enriched in deuterium cannot be counted toward the required solid nonfissile mass).*
* (c) Low concentrations of solid material: Low concentrations of solid fissile material mixed with solid nonfissile material, provided:
* There is at least 2,000 grams of nonfissile material for every gram of fissile material; and
* There is no more than 180 grams of fissile material distributed within 360 kg of contiguous nonfissile material. *(Note: Lead, beryllium, graphite, and hydrogenous material enriched in deuterium cannot be counted toward the nonfissile mass).*
* (d) Low-enrichment uranium: Uranium enriched in uranium-235 to a maximum of 1 percent by weight, with a total plutonium and uranium-233 content of up to 1 percent of the uranium-235 mass, provided any beryllium, graphite, and hydrogenous material enriched in deuterium make up less than 5 percent of the uranium mass.
* (e) Liquid uranyl nitrate solutions: Liquid solutions of uranyl nitrate enriched in uranium-235 to a maximum of 2 percent by mass, with total plutonium and uranium-233 not exceeding 0.002 percent of the uranium mass, and a minimum nitrogen-to-uranium atomic ratio (N/U) of 2. These must be contained in at least a DOT Type A package.
* (f) Plutonium mass limits: Packages containing a total plutonium mass of no more than 1,000 grams, where no more than 20 percent by mass consists of plutonium-239, plutonium-241, or any combination of those specific radionuclides.