Characteristics and behaviour of the products
| Styrene, Monomer styrene | Iso Propylic Alcohol | Methyl Ethyl Ketone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formula | C6H5
- CH = CH2 |
(CH3)2
- CH - OH |
CH3COC2H5 |
| Danger code | N°
UN: 2055 - IMDH Category: 3.3 |
N°
UN: 1219 - IMDH Category: 3.2 |
N°
UN: 1193 - IMDH Category: 3.2 |
| 20 % appearance | Colourless to pale yellow | Mobile colourless liquid | Colourless liquid, acetone odour |
| Relative density | Water: 0.906 - air: 3.6 | Water: 0.785 - air: 2.67 | Water: 0.81 - air: 4.4 |
| Flash point | + 31°C | +12°C | -6 to -4°C |
| Solubility
|
40 mg/l of distilled water at 13 °C | Soluble in all proportions in water | Very soluble 353g/l at T 0 °C |
Styrene is a basic composition used to make polymers
and copolymers (polystyrene, ABS, synthetic rubber, resins, polyesters,
alkyd styrenes, resin ion exchangers ...) and organic synthesis.
It is a highly volatile and explosive product when in contact with
air. During transport its stability is ensured by adding an inhibitory
polymerisation. Its vapours, heavier than air, are classified as
eye and lung irritants. Its only olfactory detection is 0.4 ppm.
According to MARPOL (classification created by IMO), this product
is classified as B: bioaccumulated substances with a persistence
of one week or less. In sea water its immediate toxicity varies
between 2 to 100 mg/l according to the organisms involved.
Therefore,
the risk only concerns plumes formed by the evaporation of the product
after a heavy spill.
Iso
Propylic Alcohol (IPA) is used in the synthesis of solvents
(paints, varnish, essential oil extracts, the purification of pharmaceutical
products) and the dehydration of sugar, starch, platinum, organic
synthesis and antifreeze.
It is a stable, highly flammable and volatile product. It floats
and mixes with water. Like MEK, it is classified as III according
to MARPOL: a substance almost non toxic to aquatic life. No bioaccumulation
occurs on the ground or in an aqua environment. Photochemical decomposition
occurs in the air. Risks of toxicity shown by the IPA are therefore
very weak for humans and the environment. A greater risk however
is that of fire, or explosion in the case of a massive release into
the atmosphere.
Methyl
Ethyl Ketone (MEK) is used in the synthesis of solvents
(paints, glues, paper, oil deparaffining), extraction solvent and
organic synthesis. It is a stable product, highly volatile and explosive
if mixed with air. Its vapours are heavier than air and of a pleasant
odour, and are noticeable at a concentration of 2 ppm. According
to MARPOL, this product is classified as III, like IPA.
| Name of chemical product | Quantity (in tonnes) | Owner | Origin | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Styrene |
3998 | Shell
Holland |
Rotterdam
Holland |
Berre
France |
| Methyl
Ethyl Ketone (MEK) |
1027 | Exxon
UK |
Fawley
UK |
Genoa
Italy |
| Iso
Propylic Alcohol |
996 | Esso Chemical Belgium | Rotterdam Holland | Barcelona Spain |
Committee
of experts
At the beginning of November, committees of experts appointed by
the Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire
et de l’Environnement (MATE) and by the Maritime Prefect responsible
for the western defence zone, based in Rennes, gave the details
of the characteristics of the risks involved with styrene and the
measures to be taken to ensure protection of responders and if necessary,
the people who live on the coastline (in case of breathing in styrene
vapours or consuming sea food which had absorbed styrene).
According
to the initiative of the national committee of experts established
by MATE, a number of experiments were undertaken at Cedre in order
to study the behaviour of styrene on the surface of water, the risks
of polymerisation in the ship and, in the case of a leak, the contamination
of halieutic products (crabs, mussels and oysters) with analysis
and olfactory tests carried out by IPSN.
Observations
and measures taken
At
sea, apart from control of navigation and protection of the crew,
the French Navy coordinated detection operations and pollution measures,
in direct cooperation with the British authorities and means. A
regular surveillance of the sightings of the shipwreck was assured
with the aid of aeronautic means (planes and helicopters) from the
police, customs and English coast guards, so as to be able to detect
eventual traces of the pollutants on the surface.
Using
its own means and those of maritime affairs, samples of air and
water were taken regularly to assist the committee of experts of
the western defence zone. Most of the samples were analysed by LASEM
in Cherbourg. On land and on the Aldernay during the first weeks,
the sea-firemen of Marseilles were placed under the orders of the
Maritime Prefect for the Channel to set up a detention network of
styrene vapours in the atmosphere. The measures taken were always
negative.
IFREMER
also established a surveillance network of the quality of the marine
environment, analysing the water and the living matter.
Last update: April
2006