Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110
§5114 Air Transportation of Ionizing Radiation Material
Title 49 › SUBTITLE III — GENERAL AND INTERMODAL PROGRAMS › CHAPTER 51 — TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL › § 5114
Summary
Passenger planes may carry ionizing radiation only for research or medical uses if it poses no unreasonable transport risk; Secretary must set rules and may exempt low‑radioactivity items.
Full Legal Text
Title 49, §5114
Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Transporting in Air Commerce.—
Material that emits ionizing radiation spontaneously may be transported on a passenger-carrying aircraft in air commerce (as defined in section 40102(a) of this title) only if the material is intended for a use in, or incident to, research or medical diagnosis or treatment and does not present an unreasonable hazard to health and safety when being prepared for, and during, transportation.
(b)Procedures.—
The Secretary shall prescribe procedures for monitoring and enforcing regulations prescribed under this section.
(c)Nonapplication.—
This section does not apply to material the Secretary decides does not pose a significant hazard to health or safety when transported because of its low order of radioactivity.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 5114(a)49 App.:1807(a) (1st, 2d sentences), (b) (1st sentence).Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, § 108, 88 Stat. 2159; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, § 10, 104 Stat. 3259. 5114(b)49 App.:1807(a) (last sentence). 5114(c)49 App.:1807(b) (last sentence). In subsection (a), the text of 49 App.:1807(a) (1st sentence) is omitted as executed. The words “or combination of materials” are omitted as surplus. In subsection (b), the words “further” and “effective” are omitted as surplus.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59 substituted “Secretary” for “Secretary of Transportation”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 5114
Title 49, Transportation
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110