Aerts, D.

Buczynska, A.J.

Declerck, P.

Dubois, D.

Godoi, A.F.L.

Stranger, M.

Van Grieken, R.

Werner, J.

Open Marine Archive

  - 40 - 
RESEARCH ON TOXIC FUMES WHICH SEAFARERS ON BOARD TANKERS 
ARE EXPOSED TO DURING NORMAL (WORKING) OPERATIONS 
Jacobs Werner1, Dirk Dubois1, Diane Aerts1, P. Declerck1, René Van Grieken2, 
Marianne Stranger2, L. Flavia Ana Godoi3 and A. Buczynska3 
1 Hogere Zeevaartschool Antwerpen 
Noordkasteel Oost 6, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium 
E-mail : werner.jacobs@hzs.be  
2 Universiteit Antwerpen 
Campus Drie Eiken, D.B 207, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium 
3 UNICENP 
Rua Prof. Pedro Viriato Parigot de Souza, 5300 Campo Comprido, Curitiba – PR,  
CEP 81280-330, Brazil 
 
Setting 
During normal management of a tanker, the crew will perform operations in the cargo 
part of the vessel, like entering tanks, cleaning lines, connecting and disconnecting of 
the manifold, sampling and maintenance of specific equipment. Under these 
circumstances there will be a higher risk of direct contact with the cargo. No data are 
available concerning vapor concentrations. Neither are these data available for the 
atmosphere in the engine room and inside accommodations. 
 
Aim 
The objective of the study is double. On one hand this study aimed to assess the 
presence of toxic vapors in the accommodation and the engine room on board of 
tankers, in order to establish the exposure of the crew. A new, precise and selective 
sampling system was used. Radiello passive samplers offer several advantages for this 
application, including no electricity use, small sizes, adjustable exposure times and 
especially a precise and selective measurement of air concentrations.  
 
In this study, a wide variety of volatile organic compounds has been sampled applying 
an adsorbing cartridge filled with activated charcoal (radiello code 130). Sample 
preparation was done by chemical desorption of the analytes using carbondisulfide 
(CS2). The analysis of the analytes was performed using gas chromatography coupled 
to mass spectrometry.  
 
On the other hand we measured the concentrations of toxic vapors over relative short 
periods, during well specific operations on deck. Here the concentrations were 
measured with the ‘PAC III’ apparatus of Draeger. The results of this investigation 
should allow the optimization of the correct use of respiratory protection aids during the 
above-mentioned operations. 
 
 


Research on toxic fumes which seafarers on board tankers are exposed to during normal (working) operations

Research on toxic fumes which seafarers on board tankers are exposed to during normal (working) operations

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