COFFEE AND CIGARETTES  

Caffeine, nicotine and uncooked kidney beans are all poisonous. Nicotine is one of the world's oldest pesticides. Neonicotinoids are synthetic systemic insecticides chemically related to nicotine used for mite and aphids suppression. 

Nicotine’s lethal dose might be as little as between 30 and 60 mg/kg, believing popular educational textbooks, medical journals and safety data sheets.

It’s a guess, as there are no documented tests on humans using the Department of Transportation (DOT), or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), LD50 testing criteria on nicotine, in which over 50% of the test animals die within 14 days of oral, dermal or inhalation exposure.

All pure chemicals have been tested. So there is no need to test pure chemicals. 

Nicotine, a Division 6.1 poison/toxic material, when introduced to hydrochloric acid, a Class 8 corrosive, both  DOT 49 CFR hazardous materials, and other chemicals, will convert into niacin. Niacin, also known as vitamin B-3, converts food into energy, essential for the health of your nervous systems, digestive systems and skin. You can find Niacin(B-3) in red meat, poultry, fish, brown rice, nuts, seeds, legumes and bananas, often added to cereals and breads. 

DO NOT MAKE COFFEE AGAIN BEFORE READING “JOE” 

When shipping pure chemicals, classification is made by its proper shipping name and identification number found in 172.101 the Hazardous Materials Table or the OSHA Safety Data Sheet information in Section 2 (Identification) and 14 (Transportation). All the DOT hazard classifications can be found in 29 CFR Section 1910.1200 in Appendix A Health Hazards or B Physical Hazards, 

UN1654, NICOTINE, 6.1, PG II

Page DOT 271 of the 

2024/2025 Hazardous Materials,Substances and Wastes Compliance Guide

The Department of Transportation alphabetically lists nicotine by proper shipping name in column # 2 of the 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table as a Packaging Group II, Division 6.1 Poison or Toxic material. Unfortunately, there are multiple nicotine compounds listed and packing groups. 

A question arose about poisonous mixtures, Is it still a poison? Upon contact with the DOT Hazardous Materials Hotline about mixtures containing Division 6.1 poison/toxic materials, the specialist seemed to agree that the formula in Section 173.132(c) should be consulted, when poisons are mixed with other hazardous or non-hazardous materials. They could not find a Letter of Interpretation (LOI), on the subject.  

UN1655, Nicotine compounds liquid, n.o.s. 6.1, PG I, II and III

UN1656, Nicotine compounds solid n.o.s. 6.1, PG I, II and III

 The Hotline did suggest, upon the question, that if there were any discrepancy with your mixture’s hazard classification, packing group or subsidiary hazards, during a serious regulatory compliance enforcement issue that DOT might, (head to the pet store), to bring out the animals.

 Incidentally, more recent data indicates that 500 mg/kg might be a more accurate LD50 for nicotine.

Thank you.
Robert Keegan
Publisher and President
Hazardous Material Publishing Company
Transportation Skills Programs Inc
keegan743@gmail.com
610-587-3978