Under Packing Instructions 620 and 650, what is the maximum preservative volume allowed with infectious substances?

• A. 5 mL
• B. 100 mL
• C. 30 mL
• D. 250 mL

Answer: (C)

Preserving infectious substances safely relies on strict limits for any added liquids outside the specimen itself. For Packing Instructions 620 and 650, the amount of preservative that can accompany the infectious substance is capped to keep the total liquid volume manageable and to protect the packaging from failure if a container leaks or is damaged. The maximum allowed preservative volume is thirty milliliters per primary container. This limit helps minimize chemical hazards from the preservative itself and ensures the triple packaging (primary, secondary, absorbent, inside outer) remains capable of containing any leaks. If more preservative is needed, a different preservation method or packaging approach must be used to stay within regulatory limits.