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Chemical contamination of potable water in ship tanks
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Abstract
Methods. The available analyses of chemicals in drinking water from container ships which were taken by the Port Health Officers of the Hamburg Port Health Center in the last three years were summarized and analysed. Each analysis was initiated due to aromatic odour. The analysis spectrum comprised 22 different volatile halogenated hydrocarbons and solvents.
Results. Drinking water analyses of 21 container ships with a maximal age of one year were available. The guideline value (GV) of chemical substances in drinking water was exceeded on five different ships (23.8 %) (ship no 1: xylene 770 μg/l (GV 500 μg/l), ethyl benzene 590 μg/l (GV 300 μg/l), vinyl chloride 0.6 μg/l (GV 0.5 μg/l); ship no 2: xylene 510 μg/l, ethyl benzene 400 μg/l; ship no 3: xylene 860 μg/l; ship no 4: xylene 540 μg/l; ship no 5: benzene 1.0 μg/l (GV 1.0 μg/l)). In 70% of ships with follow-up analyses, the chemical concentrations in potable water decreased as consequence of appropriate intervention measures (complete discharge and ventilation of the tanks for at least 14 days).
Conclusions. The study shows that an aromatic odour on newly built ships indicates a potential hazard to human health due to chemical solvents. In order to control possible adverse health effects to seafarer suitable codes of practice in the handling of coatings need to be observed by manufacturers. Public Health Officers, ship masters and other persons responsible for health and safety on board have to be aware of the problem and to initiate surveillance and control measures. Recommended measures include the complete emptying of potable water tanks, the accelerated drying of tank coatings by means of ventilators for at least 14-21 days and the thorough cleaning of tanks with acetic acid.
Abstract
Methods. The available analyses of chemicals in drinking water from container ships which were taken by the Port Health Officers of the Hamburg Port Health Center in the last three years were summarized and analysed. Each analysis was initiated due to aromatic odour. The analysis spectrum comprised 22 different volatile halogenated hydrocarbons and solvents.
Results. Drinking water analyses of 21 container ships with a maximal age of one year were available. The guideline value (GV) of chemical substances in drinking water was exceeded on five different ships (23.8 %) (ship no 1: xylene 770 μg/l (GV 500 μg/l), ethyl benzene 590 μg/l (GV 300 μg/l), vinyl chloride 0.6 μg/l (GV 0.5 μg/l); ship no 2: xylene 510 μg/l, ethyl benzene 400 μg/l; ship no 3: xylene 860 μg/l; ship no 4: xylene 540 μg/l; ship no 5: benzene 1.0 μg/l (GV 1.0 μg/l)). In 70% of ships with follow-up analyses, the chemical concentrations in potable water decreased as consequence of appropriate intervention measures (complete discharge and ventilation of the tanks for at least 14 days).
Conclusions. The study shows that an aromatic odour on newly built ships indicates a potential hazard to human health due to chemical solvents. In order to control possible adverse health effects to seafarer suitable codes of practice in the handling of coatings need to be observed by manufacturers. Public Health Officers, ship masters and other persons responsible for health and safety on board have to be aware of the problem and to initiate surveillance and control measures. Recommended measures include the complete emptying of potable water tanks, the accelerated drying of tank coatings by means of ventilators for at least 14-21 days and the thorough cleaning of tanks with acetic acid.
Title
Chemical contamination of potable water in ship tanks
Journal
Issue
Pages
79-91
Published online
2010-03-26
Page views
535
Article views/downloads
1689
Bibliographic record
IMH 2007;58(1-4):79-91.
Authors
Marcus Oldenburg
Ulf Peter Huesing
Mathias Kalkowski
Xaver Baur
Clara Schleich