What are the Hazards associated with carriage of Chemicals?

1. In addition, a flammable liquid must itself be at or above a temperature high enough for it to give off sufficient vapour for ignition to occur. This temperature is known as the flash point. Some cargoes evolve flammable vapour at ambient temperatures, others only at higher temperatures or when heated.
2. Safe handling procedures depend upon the flammability characteristics of each product. Non-combustible cargoes are those which do not evolve flammable vapours.
3. Volatile and Non Volatile Cargoes.
4. If a cargo is being handled at a temperature within 10C of its flashpoint, it should be considered volatile.
5. Therefore a cargo with a flashpoint of 80C should be considered volatile if handled at a temperature of 70C or above.

➢ HEALTH HAZARDS:

1. Toxic means the same as poisonous. Toxicity is the ability of a substance, when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed by the skin, to cause damage to living tissue, impairment of the central nervous system, severe illness or, in extreme cases, death. The amounts of exposure required to produce these results vary widely with the nature of the substance and the duration of exposure to it. 
2. Suffocation: suffocation is unconsciousness caused by lack of oxygen, Any vapour may cause suffocation, whether toxic or not, simply by excluding oxygen in air. Danger areas include cargo tanks, void spaces and cargo pumprooms. But the atmosphere of a compartment may also be oxygen deficient through natural causes, such as decomposition or putrefaction of organic cargo.
3. Anaesthesia: Certain vapours cause loss of consciousness due to their effect on the nervous system. In addition, anaesthetic vapours may or may not be toxic.
4. Additional health hazards: Additional health hazards may be presented by non-cargo materials used on board during cargo handling. One hazard is that of frostbite from liquid nitrogen stored on board for use as atmosphere control in cargo tanks. Full advice on dealing with frostbite is contained in the MFAG .

Another hazard is that of burns from accidental contact with equipment used while handling heated cargoes.