Narrative:

Filing as soon as possible report in regards to an issue with cargo (glufosinate ammonium) carried on [flight]. Dispatch was made aware of the issue through ACARS conversation with the captain and flight was airborne in cruise when captain requested information. Dispatcher Y took over desk at xa:00Z from dispatcher X. The desk was extremely busy and at turnover sector manager due to operational issues with ATC and mechanical issues; so unsure of actual sector manager on events. The event started with an ACARS message from the captain asking about cargo they had onboard with the name glufosinate ammonium and asked if we had any information as to what the cargo was. There was no dangerous goods paperwork in regards to cargo on the flight. I tried to find any information on the assumed chemical and made a call to cargo operations to find out what information they had on this item. Cargo advised they had no information on this item and noted that if there was no paperwork was probably not a dangerous good. I googled glufosinate ammonium and it pulled up the chemical data sheet for item which seemed to be some kind of liquid or salt based chemical used for weed control. The captain advised the only way he noticed the cargo was one of the first officers noticed 3 big pallets being loaded onto the aircraft and when he inquired about them they were told they weren't dangerous goods. I passed along what information I was able to decipher from the chemical sheet; however; being no expert on the subject and due to the fact the item was a chemical and the uses; seemed odd cargo didn't have more information.I opted to fill in my sector manager who was on duty and asked him to research the item again with cargo and maybe talk to a supervisor or call [origin airport] to find out more information. Sector manager agreed to do the research to get more information and to get would get back to me.sector manager advised an hour or so later that he tried to find the item in in the manuals and called cargo again and discussed it with them and they had no information on this item. Sector manager advised there was a request for more information through an email trail and that he would include the captain in those emails so he was aware. I passed along the information to the captain as was told to me. I was not copied in on the emails.dispatcher X worked the initial flight plan and was on duty at departure sector manager. I do not know if the captain asked dispatch any information prior to departure. There was nothing in the written nor verbal turnover for my shift. As previously mentioned I was first made aware when the flight had been airborne and in cruise for some sector manager; when the captain requested information on this item. I was not copied on the email trail nor provided information or asked for more information until my sector manager brought the information to my attention again [10 days later]. Suggestions:a management function for departments that are experts in the field in this area. Possibly require cargo to provide flight crew with a list of cargo items on board; especially in large quantities. Provided a msds sheet or any type information sheet to crews for any cargo chemical in nature even if item not specifically a dangerous good.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier Dispatcher reported a possible hazardous materials violation.

Narrative: Filing ASAP report in regards to an issue with cargo (Glufosinate Ammonium) carried on [flight]. Dispatch was made aware of the issue through ACARS conversation with the Captain and flight was airborne in cruise when Captain requested information. Dispatcher Y took over desk at XA:00Z from Dispatcher X. The desk was extremely busy and at turnover Sector Manager due to operational issues with ATC and mechanical issues; so unsure of actual Sector Manager on events. The event started with an ACARS message from the Captain asking about cargo they had onboard with the name Glufosinate Ammonium and asked if we had any information as to what the Cargo was. There was no dangerous goods paperwork in regards to cargo on the flight. I tried to find any information on the assumed chemical and made a call to Cargo Operations to find out what information they had on this item. Cargo advised they had no Information on this item and noted that if there was no paperwork was probably not a dangerous good. I Googled Glufosinate Ammonium and it pulled up the chemical data sheet for item which seemed to be some kind of liquid or salt based chemical used for weed control. The Captain advised the only way he noticed the cargo was one of the First Officers noticed 3 big pallets being loaded onto the aircraft and when he inquired about them they were told they weren't dangerous goods. I passed along what information I was able to decipher from the chemical sheet; however; being no expert on the subject and due to the fact the item was a chemical and the uses; seemed odd Cargo didn't have more information.I opted to fill in my Sector Manager who was on duty and asked him to research the item again with Cargo and maybe talk to a supervisor or call [origin airport] to find out more information. Sector Manager agreed to do the research to get more information and to get would get back to me.Sector Manager advised an hour or so later that he tried to find the item in in the manuals and called cargo again and discussed it with them and they had no information on this item. Sector Manager advised there was a request for more information through an email trail and that he would include the Captain in those emails so he was aware. I passed along the information to the Captain as was told to me. I was not copied in on the emails.Dispatcher X worked the initial flight plan and was on duty at departure Sector Manager. I do not know if the Captain asked Dispatch any information prior to departure. There was nothing in the written nor verbal turnover for my shift. As previously mentioned I was first made aware when the flight had been airborne and in cruise for some Sector Manager; when the Captain requested information on this item. I was not copied on the email trail nor provided information or asked for more information until my Sector Manager brought the information to my attention again [10 days later]. Suggestions:A management function for departments that are experts in the field in this area. Possibly require cargo to provide flight crew with a list of Cargo items on board; especially in large quantities. Provided a MSDS sheet or any type information sheet to crews for any cargo chemical in nature even if item not specifically a Dangerous Good.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.