Spill Data

Database containing compliance/ noncompliance records of oil facility discharges. Spill data include amount of materia] spilled, rate, response, and control measures. 

Analysis of spill data at the Beykan oil field in Turkey indicated that over a 6 yr period (1989-1995) that 252 spills were recorded resulting in a net release of 395 t of oil (Unlii and Demirekler, 2000). One of the more famous cases of petroleum contamination of the environment included a huge oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1969 due to a blow out of a Union Oil Co. of California... 

Damage assessment is a new activity recently started in several countries. It involves a formal, structured examination of an oiled environment to determine how many of each species was affected by the oil spill. The objectives are to quantify the damage to the environment as much as possible and assess the total effects of a particular spill. Data are used to develop long-term restoration or cleanup plans if necessary, to assess costs, and to provide a database of spill damage. Damage assessment involves a thorough re-examination of the site through counts of plants and animals and comparison to the pre-spill condition. If information on the prespill condition is not available, the site is compared to a similar unoiled site nearby. 

Stoddard solvent may be released to the atmosphere in the exhaust emissions of dry cleaning plants. Emissions from one plant were determined to be 2,100 ppm (measured as propane) (EPA 1980). Fugitive emissions from other industrial or domestic uses (such as incompletely sealed or punctured barrels) may contribute to levels of Stoddard solvent in the environment, including contributions to general levels of volatile organic carbon. In addition, surface water contamination may occur as a result of direct spills of Stoddard solvent onto surface waters, runoff from spills to soil with subsequent transmission to nearby water sources, or from improper disposal, such as pouring Stoddard solvent down drains. Accidental spills of Stoddard solvent to various media are reported to the Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) maintained by EPA. Total spill data for Stoddard solvent are ... 

Fingas, M. F., and C. Lau. 1996. Recent Chemical Spill Data, in Proceedings of the Thirteenth Technical Seminar on Chemical Spills, Environment Canada, Ottawa, ON, pp. 327-369. 

Statistical spill data are extremely useful for setting priorities and identifying project needs for spill prevention and preparedness. This was recognized in 1972, and a database was developed to consolidate all Canadian spill data. This database is known as NATES, short for National Analysis of Trends in Emergencies System. The NATES database now contains data on over 150,000 spill events. About 60% of these spill events are related to oil and petroleum products. About 20% involve wastes and aggregate materials. Only about 10% involve the spillage of pure chemicals. 

Table 2 Hsts some of the physical, toxicity, flammabiUty, and reactivity properties of common chemicals (10,13,42,45—51). Also given are some of the quantities specified for reporting spills and for compliance with legislated requirements. The OSHA regulations require that material safety data sheets (MSDS) be developed for all process materials, so that the ha2ard data can be communicated to employees (52). Characteristics of toxicity, flammabiUty, chemical iastabiUty, reactivity and reaction energy, operatiag coaditioas, and corrosive properties of constmction materials must all be considered ia analy2iag ha2ard poteatials of chemicals and chemical operations.

Toxicity to fish is included in the data Hsted in Table 4. Marine life, particularly fish, may suffer damage from spills in lakes and streams. The chlorobenzenes, because they are denser than water, tend to sink to the bottom and may persist in the area for a long time. However, some data indicate that dissolved 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene can be biodegraded by microorganisms from wastewater treatment plants and also has a tendency to slowly dissipate from water by volatilization (34). 

Provides chemical information to assist response to emergencies involving spills of hazardous materials. Contains chemical, physical, and biological data, and specific response-oriented information (c.g., countermeasures). Developed by (he U.S. Coast Guard. 

Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Data Base System... 

TOXIC, PUFF, SPILLS, INPUFF, AND INPUFF 2.0 Bowman Environmental Engineering P.O. Bo 29072 Dallas, TX 75229 (214) 241-1895 In ascending order of data complexity, these systems address toxic gas releases using models designed for each type of release, based on emission rate, facility characteristics and weather data. 

If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of the skin Odor Threshold Data not available. 

Value)-. Not pertinent Short-Term Exposure Limits-. Not pertinent Toxicity by Ingestion Grade3 LDjo 50 to 500 mg/kg Late Toxicity Data not available Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics Not pertinent Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics Minimum hazard. If spilled on clothing and allowed to remain, may cause smarting and reddening of the skin Odor Threshold Not pertinent. 

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