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Review articles: Tankships in the marine environment

Part I: Marine transport of bulk liquids and cargoes spilt (ESPR 2/98, pp. 97–104) Part II: Environmental and health effects resulting from marine bulk liquid transport (ESPR 4/98, pp. 231–237) Part III: The scientific evaluation of the hazards of marine bulk liquid transport (ESPR 1/99, pp. 21–28) Part IV: Regulations to prevent marine pollution (ESPR 2/99)

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Abstract

In the early 1970s the International Maritime Organization turned to GESAMP — a United Nations expert group — for advice in determining the hazards posed by chemicals, when released into the sea. The subsequent methods developed have been used ever since. The hazard evaluation procedure has been revised 1995 – 1998, now including inter alia aspects of chronic aquatic toxicity and biodegradation. Within this review, the old (existing) and the new (revised) hazard evaluation processes are explained. Reasons for the revisions and some still unresolved aspects are discussed. Severe evaluation problems exist for non-water soluble chemicals, e.g. oils. Hazard evaluations including testing procedures which are enforced for the categorization of bulk liquids are explained.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine (BgVV), Postfach 330013, D-14191, Berlin, Germany

    Thomas Höfer

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  1. Thomas Höfer
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The views and conclusions expressed are those of the author only and do not reflect decisions, policies or views of any organization concerned. This review goes beyond what is the area of responsibility of the BgVV as a competent authority for health aspects of the transport of dangerous goods. The article has neither been subjected to BgVV review nor been approved as an official publication of this institute.

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Höfer, T. Review articles: Tankships in the marine environment. Environ. Sci. & Pollut. Res 6, 21–28 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02987117

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