An Atlanta engineer has formed the first third-party, independent hazardous materials and package testing laboratory in Georgia to test the durability of packages, typically boxes, glass, metal and plastic containers, used to ship chemicals and other potentially dangerous substances.
Chavdar "Charles" Radev, a native of Bulgaria who moved to Atlanta 11 years ago, opened South East Testing & Engineering's facility in Lawrenceville last month, following certification by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The laboratory is one of 50 nationwide, and one of two in the Southeast, certified by the DOT to conduct hazardous materials testing as an independent entity, not affiliated with a shipment carrier or box manufacturer, Mr. Radev told GlobalFax.
The facility is set up to perform a variety of tests on boxes used in domestic and international chemical shipments, including drop, vibration, stacking, internal pressure and "leakproofness" tests, he said.
He explained that the laboratory equipment recreates adverse conditions a box may encounter in shipment by ground, air or sea and analyzes, for example, how well it holds up to being knocked around, dropped or soaked as it awaits loading outdoors in the rain at a dock.
The facility is also equipped to provide shock, vibration, conditioning, compression and other mechanical tests for a variety of packaging, including plastic and glass bottles.
Mr. Radev said he is targeting his services to customers in the chemical manufacturing industry, as well as packaging firms and shippers.
Products considered hazardous materials for shipping purposes include aerosol cans, detergents, paint, poolside chemicals, solvents and pharmaceuticals.
Most often, South East Testing uses substitute materials that have the same consistency as the actual chemicals in testing the resilience of boxes and other packaging used in chemical shipment, Mr. Radev added.
For additional information, contact Mr. Radev at (678) 886-4864. Visit http://setelab.com
