Transport
Contents
The Role of Transport at Sellafield Ltd Transport has played a huge role at Sellafield ever since it was first established at the Seascale site. Over the years, the tasks have evolved to meet with the ever-changing work scope. Transport plays a vital role in applying the waste management hierarchy on site as it supports functional processes required to ensure waste routes are adhered to safely and environmentally. It is Sellafield’s mission to continuously seek to improve and optimise the waste management, which will help deliver cost and environmental benefits, supporting the SL Enterprise strategy. The Waste and Resource strategy sets out the expectations for projects whole lifecycle, based on best practice and experience. By focusing on avoiding the waste of materials on projects, we provide an opportunity to save money and resources, and to further increase our environmental management skills and attitudes, driving a cultural change in waste management behaviours. Transport’s main job in the waste management process is to move waste materials to their next point in its waste route. This could either be within the site or removing them off site completely. They key role in this area is the Dangerous Goods Dispatching Officer (DGDO). The DGDO acts as the interface between the despatch facility and the SL Consignment Services Team, who are the Subject Matter Experts in this area.
03 The Role of Transport at Sellafield Ltd 04 Transport Personnel at Sellafield 05 Dangerous Goods - What are they? 06 Dangerous Goods Classes
08 Dangerous Goods Class - Sub-Divisions 09 Class 7 Subdivisions - Radioactive Materials 10 Transport Index 11 Further Transport Marking Requirements 13 UN Markings 14 Transport Regulations 16 Waste Packaging and Container Types 17 Package Types used for Transporting Radioactive Materials
18 Expected Packages 19 Industrial Packages 20 LSA & SCO 21 Examples of Industrial Packages
24 Type A Packages 25 Type B Packages 27 Type C Packages 28 Certification
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Transport Personnel at Sellafield
Dangerous Goods - What are they?
The transport of dangerous goods covers the activities involved with the movement of dangerous goods from a consignor (sender of dangerous goods) to a consignee (receiver of dangerous goods). Dangerous goods include any substance considered to have sufficiently hazardous properties that they need to be subject to restrictions and controls during transport (or “carriage”) by the mode of transport in question. At Sellafield, there are procedures to follow when moving waste dangerous goods on and off the site.
People at Sellafield act in several key roles described in the transport regulations, each with different obligations:
Consignor
The Enterprise that prepares a consignment for transport.
Packer
The Enterprise responsible for placing dangerous goods into packages.
Loader
The Enterprise that loads dangerous goods into a vehicle or large container.
Filler
The Enterprise that loads dangerous goods into a tank.
Carrier
The Enterprise that carries out the transport operation (with or without a contract).
The Enterprise which takes charge of the dangerous goods on arrival shall be deemed to be the consignee.
Consignee
The Enterprise that removes a container from a vehicle or discharges dangerous goods from a tank.
Unloader
Note: The term ‘enterprise’ is stated in the transport regulations. It refers to the establishment or organisation.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 5
When dangerous goods are transported, the consignment must be accompanied by a transport document declaring the description and nature of the goods. Documentation must be in accordance with the specifications set by the dangerous goods regulations applicable to the chosen mode of transport. The Transport Regulations are tightly regulated due to the potential risks to people and the environment. No matter how they are transported dangerous goods must be identified by way of assignment to one or more of the nine Dangerous Goods classes and subsequent sub-divisions for dangerous goods. The classes relate to the type of hazard present: Dangerous Goods Classes
Labels corresponding to each of the classes and subdivisions are shown below. Requirements for size, shape and location of labels among other things are prescribed in the relevant regulations. These Dangerous Goods Diamonds are also known as ‘Hazard Diamonds’, ‘Warning Diamonds’ or ‘Placards’.
Explosives
Class 1
Explosives & Ammunition
Class 2.1
Flammable gases eg. acetylene, dissolved
Non-flammable non-toxic gases e.g., ammonia solution, oxygen, liquid nitrogen.
Gases
Class 2.2
Class 2.3
Toxic gases e.g. nitrogen dioxide, methane in argon.
Flammable Liquids
Class 3
Flammable liquids e.g. acetone, methanol, petrol.
Class 4.1
Flammable solids e.g. phosphorus, sulphur.
Spontaneously combustible solids e.g. cellulose films, magnesium alkyls.
Flammable Solids
Class 4.2
Class 4.3
Water reactive solids e.g. magnesium powder, lithium
Oxidising substances e.g. lithium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide.
Class 5.1
Oxidising
Organic peroxides e.g., man-made substances and usually carry a trade name.
Class 5.2
Toxic substances e.g. carbon tetrachloride, ammonium persulfate.
Class 6.1
Toxic and Infectious
Class 6.2
Infectious substances e.g. used medical supplies
Radioactive material e.g. U03, sources, waste, discharged flasks, fuel flasks.
Radioactive
Class 7
Corrosives
Class 8
Corrosive substances e.g. hydrochloric acid, nitric acid
Other
Class 9
Miscellaneous items e.g. lithium batteries, asbestos
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 7
Dangerous Goods Class Sub-Divisions
Radioactive materials (RAM) are those whose activity concentration and total activity in the consignment exceed values specified for each radionuclide, and consequently are deemed to pose a risk to humans. PGs are not used, but there is a special system of sub-classification of radioactive substances laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its regulations covering the transport of radioactive materials. There are three categories of hazard warning labels for class 7 packages. These are shown below together with the relevant Transport Index (TI) (explained below), based on surface radiation levels. Class 7 Subdivisions – Radioactive Materials (RAM)
Each class can be further broken down into separate groups. This is done in two ways, one way for Class 7 materials, and another way for all other Classes:
Non-Class 7 Subdivisions – Non-Radioactive Material s Whilst the CLASS defines the type of danger which a substance presents, a second classification, called the PACKING GROUP (PG) defines just how dangerous it is. There are three Packing Groups: PG I is the most dangerous, PG II represents a moderate danger and PG III is the least dangerous. Packing Groups are always written in Roman numerals to differentiate them from the Class numbers. SLP 2.07.07 provides guidance on the process required to ensure that all outbound movements of non-class 7 dangerous goods (dangerous goods other than radioactive materials) from the Sellafield Site are classified by the Consignment Team. It is possible for a substance to appear in more than one Packing Group, depending on its concentration. For example, concentrated sulphuric acid is Class 8, PG II. A mild solution of the same acid, which might be marketed as a domestic drain cleaner, is still allocated to Class 8, but because of its lesser corrosivity could be PG III. Each class has its own guidance on what constitutes PG I, II and III. The Consignment Team will ensure that this judgement is made correctly.
The TI is only shown on the yellow labels:
Transport Category Label
Transport Category Label
Transport Category Label
Vehicle Placard
Label
I – White
II - Yellow
III – Yellow
0 (If TI is not greater than 0.05 it may be treated as zero.)
More than 0 but not more than 1
More than 1 but not more than 10
Transport Index
More than 0.5mSv/h but not more than 2mSv/h (If TI is more than 10 and the surface dose rate is between 2 and 10 mSv/h, the same label is used but package must be moved under “exclusive use”)
More than 5µSv/h but not more than 0.5mSv/h
Surface dose rate
Not more than 5µSv/h
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 9
WARNING PANELS Alongside the Hazard Diamond, an orange Warning Panel is required showing the UN Number and the Emergency Action Code. Further Transport Marking Requirements
Transport Index (TI)
The Transport Index is determined by taking the maximum radiation level one meter from an undamaged package. The TI can be calculated by determining the maximum radiation level at one metre from all the external surfaces of the package as measured in millisieverts per hour and multiplying this figure by 100. For example, a TI of 0.2 would indicate that, at 1 meter from the labelled package, the radiation dose rate should be no more than 0.002 mSv/hr.
UN NUMBER Dangerous goods are given a four-digit UN number which identifies the substances and helps the emergency services obtain information quickly. The four-digit UN number is required to be displayed at the bottom of an orange-coloured panel (sometimes called and ADR Plate) on tanks, tank containers and vehicles carrying dangerous goods in bulk. Some hazardous substances have their own UN numbers while in other cases groups of chemicals or products with similar properties receive a common UN number.
EMERGENCY ACTION CODE The three-character code on the top of the panel is the Emergency Action Code (EAC). This must be used on all GB registered road and rail vehicles that carry dangerous goods on domestic journeys within the UK rather than a two-digit International ADR marking, which uses Hazard Identification Numbers (HIN), also known as the Kemler Code. It quickly tells the Emergency Services how to deal with a spill. The EAC is interpreted by the Emergency Action Code pocket cards - shown below. The first character in an EAC represents the firefighting extinguishing media which will best control a chemical fire. The second character denotes hazard controls for people and the environment to keep the situation as safe as possible (BA stands for Breathing Apparatus and LTS refers to a Liquid Tight Suit). The 3rd character, if there is one, will always be ‘E’ – this means that it is a Public Safety Hazard.
Further information on how to determine TI can be found here: Transporting radioactive material - Guidance on radiation and contamination monitoring requirements, and determining a Transport Index.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 11
Once it has been determined that a waste is hazardous or a persistent organic pollutant it is given a Hazard Class based on the properties that make it hazardous. The codes are listed below: UN Markings
X for Packing Groups I, II and III Y for Packing Groups II and III Z for Packing Group III only
Max Gross Mass in Kg
Packaging Identification Code (Type & Material)
Year of Manufacture
u n
4G / X8 / S / 05 USA/M4166
Solid
UN Packing Symbol
Approval Country
Manufacturer identification or other identification
Example of UN marking on an IBC.
Example of UN marking on a steal drum – this one shows the approval country as Great Britain.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 13
Transport Regulations
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT REGULATIONS COVER:
Road: England, Wales, and Scotland implement the
A complex regulatory framework has been built up over decades, culminating in a significant number of laws and regulations which must be considered before dangerous goods are allowed out into the public domain. The basis of virtually all UK legislation relating to the carriage of dangerous goods is based on international agreements made at the UN or EU level. In the case of Class 7, this is agreed at International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) level.
requirements of CDG 2009 via the application of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). ADR sets out the requirements for the classification, packing, labelling and certification of dangerous goods. It also includes specific vehicle and tank requirements and as well as other operational requirements.
UK ROAD TRANSPORT REGULATIONS
• The carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail in Great Britain is regulated by the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment regulations 2009, also referred to as CDG 2009. The IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) code contains internationally agreed guidance on the safe transport of dangerous goods by sea, and most commonly relates to the carriage of dangerous goods in freight containers and tank containers. ONR enforces compliance with CDG 2009, and with the arrangements made under them, to judge the suitability of the arrangements made and the adequacy of their implementation. • The Nuclear Industry Security Regulations: The Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 require persons to appropriately protect “sensitive nuclear information” which essentially covers all protectively marked information generated or held by the civil nuclear industry as a result of their own activities (including MOD contracts) or which it has received from HMG and which needs protecting in the interests of national security. The Regulations are enforced by Civil Nuclear Security (CNS), part of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. ONR (CNS) issues a classification policy in support of these Regulations. Many civil licensed nuclear sites (including ones formerly operated by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)) are now owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) but are operated by companies who have the status of NDA contractors. NDA, and the CNPA are NDPBs (Non-Departmental Public Bodies) directly responsible to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Rail: The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail is governed by the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID) regulations and the GB Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Air: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations and GB Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) (AN(DG)) Regulations 2002 as amended applying to the transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. Sea: International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMGD) code provides guidance on Transporting Dangerous Goods by Sea. The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutant) Regulations 1997 and Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 also apply to the Transport of Dangerous Goods by the Sea.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 15
In most cases packaging must be certified to UN standards. The SL Consignment Services Team gives guidance on, and will approve, the transport classification of a waste, so that packaging can be agreed. Several tests must be passed to become UN approved packaging. Some examples of these tests are: Drop: The package is filled and dropped from a specified height on to a hard surface and must not leak. Leak-proof: The package is held underwater, and no escaping air bubbles must appear. Pressure: The package is pressurised from inside and must not leak or burst. Stacking: The packages are stacked and the bottom one must not be crushed. Waste Packaging and Container Types available for Waste Disposal
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material set the recommended regulatory standards for international transport activities. The basic concept is that safety is vested principally in the package which has to provide shielding to protect workers, the public and the environment against the effects of radiation, to prevent an unwanted chain reaction, to prevent damage caused by heat and also to provide protection against dispersion of the contents. All this has to be achieved under normal conditions and also accident conditions of transport for the more highly radioactive materials. In addition, it is important to reduce radiation doses to workers and the public as far as reasonably achievable by adopting best practice at the operating level. Generally, the dose rate of any package other than an excepted package must not exceed 2 milliSieverts per hour (mSv/hour) on the surface. The Consignment Services Team can give further information on this if required. Package classification can change throughout the cycle for example a Type B package such as a fuel flask can be classified as an Excepted package once it is empty and sent back to the customer. Package Types used for Transporting Radioactive Materials
The Regulations provide for five different types of packages:
• Excepted • Industrial (IP1, IP2 and IP3)
• Type A • Type B • Type C.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 17
Excepted packages are packages in which the allowed radioactive content is restricted to such low levels that the potential hazards are insignificant and therefore no testing is required with regard to containment or shielding integrity. A common example of an excepted package is the postal package used to carry radiopharmaceuticals for medical purposes. Excepted Packages
Industrial Packages
Industrial Packages (IP) are sub-divided into three categories designated as IP- 1, IP-2, and IP-3, which differ regarding the degree to which they are required to withstand routine and normal conditions of transport (See table below). The required tests simulate normal transport conditions such as a fall from a vehicle, exposure to rain, or being struck by a sharp object, or having other cargo stacked on top. Packages used in industry such as steel drums or bins could meet these various requirements, but purpose designed packages are also frequently used. The choice depends on the characteristics of the material. Some typical materials transported in industrial packages are low-level and intermediate-level radioactive waste, or ores containing naturally occurring radionuclides (e.g. uranium or thorium) and concentrates of such ores.
Industrial Package Requirements
Criteria
IP-1
IP-2
IP-3
General requirements for all packages Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air the tests for a Type A package are also required Each of the following tests must be preceded by a water spray test: Free drop (from 0.3 to 1.2 metres, depending on the mass of the package) Stacking or compression Penetration (6kg bar dropped from 1 metre)
The surface must be >5uSv/h and no hazard diamond is required.
General requirements for all packages Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air
General requirements for all packages Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air
Design requirements
As mentioned above, the package classification can change throughout the cycle of use. For example, while transporting material via throughout the Mixed Metal route, a Half Height Iso Freight container is rated as an IP2 however, once the container is empty it can be classed as an Excepted Package if transport contamination and radiation dose limits as prescribed by regulations are adhered to.
Free drop (from 0.3 to 1.2 metres, depending on the mass of the package) Stacking or compression
Test requirements - normal transport conditions
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 19
LSA & SCO
Examples of Industrial Packages (IPs):
Industrial packages are used to transport two types of class 7 material: • Low Specific Activity (LSA) Material – An item that itself has low amount of radioactivity per unit mass. • Surface Contaminated Objects (SCO) - Non-radioactive objects having low levels of surface contamination. Both types of material are relatively safe to transport, either because the contained activity is very low, or because the material is not in a form easily dispersible. The LSA/SCO classifications come from ADR which are the regulations related to transporting radioactive goods and the decision of SCO vs LSA sits with the Consignment Services Team. There are three grades of LSA materials (LSA-I, LSA-II and LSA-III) and two grades of SCO materials (SCO-I and SCO-II). Which grade the waste is given impacts on the type of packaging available.
IP1
This is a 4G Cardboard Box and Polypropylene Biojar - both Packages are only Classed as IP1 when they are packed together.
IP2 The Full Height ISO and TC01 are examples of an IP2 package.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 21
Overpacks
TC19-210 Litre IP-2 Drum (WAMAC Compatible). The drum is designed for the transport of solid
radioactive material in the form of Low- Level Waste (LLW) or Very Low-Level Waste (VLLW), which qualifies as Low Specific Activity (LSA) or Surface Contaminated Object (SCO) material. The TC19 is suitable for super compaction at the Sellafield WAMAC facility. It is an IP2 package.
TC14-210 Litre IP-2 Drum (Solids/ Liquids).
When waste has been loaded into a container that has subsequently been damaged or has gone out of date, the Overpack can be used to transport Low Level Waste off-site for disposal, storage, or processing. The Overpack, or ‘Ferguson Seacab’ as some people refer to it, is an IP2 licensed container. It was originally built to allow the retrieval of the backlog of material that was stored at the LLWR at Drigg to WAMAC at Sellafield for processing, before being returned to the repository for storage in the vaults. It can also be used for transporting large items without a container.
The drum is designed for the transport of radioactive material in the form of Low-Level Waste (LLW) or Very Low- Level Waste (VLLW), which qualifies as Low Specific Activity (LSA) or Surface Contaminated Object (SCO) material. (See further information on this later in this Study Guide). The TC14 is NOT suitable for super compaction at the Sellafield WAMAC facility. LiftPac UN approved (Dumpy Bags) are ideal for handling items as they are easily loaded and recovered by the service provider. They are used to contain and transport rubble, spoil, and small items of LLW, including small metal items to be further processed off site. Rather than transport the bags around using the loops, it is best practice to put the dumpy bag in a box or on a pallet. This method complies with the single lift policy when using dumpy bags. The LiftPac ‘dumpy bag’ is IP2 rated.
IP3
This form of packaging is not commonly used at SL – it all depends on the testing that applies to them and the materials that need to be shipped. IP3 rated packages are not currently used on a regular basis.
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Type A packages are used for the transport of relatively small, but significant, quantities of radioactive material. Since it is assumed that this type of package theoretically could be damaged in a severe accident and that a portion of their contents may be released, the number of radionuclides they can contain is limited by the IAEA Regulations. In the event of a release, these limits ensure that the risks from external radiation or contamination are very low. Type A packages are required to maintain their integrity during normal transport conditions and therefore are subjected to tests simulating these conditions (see below). Type A packages are used to transport radioisotopes for medical diagnosis or teletherapy, technetium, generators used to assist in the diagnosis of certain cancers, and also for some nuclear fuel cycle materials. Type A Packages
Type B Packages
Type B packages are required for the transport of highly radioactive material. These packages must withstand the same normal transport conditions as Type A packages, but because their contents exceed the Type A limits, it is necessary to specify additional resistance to release of radiation or radioactive material due to accidental damage. The concept is that this type of package must be capable of withstanding expected accident conditions, without breach of its containment or an increase in radiation to a level which would endanger the general public and those involved in rescue or clean-up operations. The adequacy of the package to this requirement is demonstrated by stringent accident conditions testing. Type B packages are used to transport material such as spent nuclear fuel and vitrified high-level waste.
Type A Package Requirements
Type B Package Requirements
Criteria
Requirements
Criteria
Requirements
General requirements for all packages. Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air Type A additional requirements (seals, tie-downs, temperature, containment, reduced pressure, valves).
Design requirements
General requirements for all packages. Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air Type A additional requirements (seals, tie-downs, temperature, containment, reduced pressure, valves).
Design requirements
Each of the following tests must be preceded by a water spray test: Free drop (from 0.3 – 1.2 metres, depending on the mass
Test requirements - normal transport conditions
Each of the following tests must be preceded by a water spray test: Free drop (from 0.3 – 1.2 metres, depending on the mass
of the package) Stacking or compression Penetration (6kg bar dropped from 1 metre).
Test requirements - normal transport conditions
of the package) Stacking or compression Penetration (6kg bar dropped from 1 metre).
Cumulative effects of: Free drop from 9 metres or dynamic crush test (drop of a 500kg mass from 9 metres onto a specimen), Puncture test, Thermal test (fire of 800°C intensity for 30 minutes), Immersion (15 metres for 8 hours), Enhanced immersion test for packages carrying a large amount of radioactive material (200 metres for 1 hour).
Test requirements - accidental transport conditions
Gamma ray source projectors are an example of a Type A Package
A SAFPAK is an example of a Type A package and can hold samples, liquids and solids.
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 25
Type C Packages The 1996 Edition of the IAEA Transport Regulations introduced a requirement for a more robustly designed package – the Type C Package – to transport the more highly radioactive material by air. Type C packages must satisfy all the additional requirements of Type A packages and most of the additional requirements of Type B packages. Type C packages are subjected to a series of tests to prove their ability to withstand transport incidents and accidents. This type of package has not yet been developed.
Example and pictures of Type B Packages
Type C Package Requirements
Criteria
Requirements
General requirements for all packages. Additional pressure and temperature requirements if transported by air, Type A additional requirements, Type B additional requirements (internal heat generation and maximum surface temperature). Each of the following tests must be preceded by a water spray test: Free drop (from 0.3 to 1.2 metres), depending on the mass of the package, Stacking or compression, Penetration (6kg bar dropped from 1 metre). Test sequence on one specimen in the following order: Free drop from 9 metres, Dynamic crush test (drop of a 500kg mass from 9 metres onto a specimen), Puncture test, Enhanced thermal test (fire of 800°C intensity for 60 minutes), A separate specimen may be used for the following test: Impact test (not less than 90 metres per second). If packages are altered from their original form their licence may no longer be valid. For example, the TC05 package used to be licensed for transport purpose but the addition of additional shielding to contain FGMSP skips invalidated its original license. In order to move it on the road it would need to be transported within a licensed package such as an overpack.
Novapak
Cobalt-60 cask
Design requirements
Test requirements - normal transport conditions
Spent nuclear fuel cask
Test requirements - accidental transport conditions
MOX fuel cask
The A2 AGR Type B flask
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An Introduction to Waste Management at Sellafield Ltd 27
Certification All dangerous goods packages (excluding excepted packages) should have a certificate of approval. The consignor and consignee must be in possession of a copy of the Certificate of Approval and Operator Handling instructions prior to loading. These documents must also be available on plant. The Dangerous Goods Despatching Officer (DGDO) must check the validity and expiry date of Approval. The DGDO also checks that the maintenance of the package is in date (if applicable).
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