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Peter Lundahl Rasmussen
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BIMCO Liquid Cargo of the month - Epichlorohydrin
Published: 25 August 2022
The BIMCO Liquid Cargo database is intended for use by for shore-side staff and to some extent for newcomers on board tankers and should only be used as a reference tool providing brief information regarding the about 270 of the commonly transported liquid cargoes including Epichlorohydrin.
Epichlorohydrin (1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane; ECH; EPI; Chlormethyloxiran; Chloropropyleneoxide; Chloroepoxypropane)
A clear colourless liquid with a sweet pungent or chloroform like smell. Flammable and highly reactive. Highly toxic and the cargo has a high density, and safely consideration of maximum filling of cargo tank is recommended.
Carefully check of Epichlorohydrin compatibility with stainless steel and cargo tank coating resistance list for special requirements or potential limitations.
No prewash required by MARPOL Annex II.
Epichlorohydrin is used in a wide variety of applications, including epoxy resins, textiles, ion exchange resins, rubbers, agricultural products, and more.
Epichlorohydrin is very toxic, to the kidneys, lungs, liver, and skin. It can be absorbed through skin and by inhalation. the cargo is flammable with a moderate fire risk, relatively unstable and reacts with acids, alkalis. Explosive reaction with aniline, trichloroethylene, potassium tert-butoxide and sulfuric acid.
An instrument or detector tubes for detection of toxic vapours shall be on board, the associated Threshold Limit Values (TLV) 0.5 ppm. The odour threshold is 20 ppm, - that means: when smelling the cargo, personnel have been overexposed.
Continuous ventilation of cargo tanks before and during entry after measurement of tank atmosphere.
Polymerisation of the cargo is possible so the voyage instruction from shippers to be carefully followed. Nitrogen padding may be required by shipper.
The Liquid Cargo Database contains information on some 270 cargoes, all updated to the IBC Code 2021 amended requirements, but in order to ensure that the BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database information is kept updated, we highly welcome any feedback in the form of comments, response, information or data regarding a specific cargo.
