Asbestos and asbestos products classified as Dangerous Goods (and subject to the IMDG Code)
include raw asbestos, treated asbestos still in the form of free fibers and any product from which fibers
might escape.
The use of asbestos and or certain asbestos products is banned in many parts of the world. The United
For example, the Kingdom banned the importation, supply, and use of all forms of asbestos or asbestos
containing materials in November 2006 and other countries have similar regulations although it is apparent
that such regulations are not necessarily being enforced.
Asbestos is IMDG Class 9, U.N.2212 (blue and brown asbestos), or 2590 (white asbestos). There are three main
types:
- Blue asbestos (crocidolite), straight, flexible fibers, lavender grey to bluish-green in color.
- Brown asbestos (amosite, mysorite), straight, brittle fibers, light grey to pale brown.
- White asbestos (chrysotile, actinolite, anthophyllite, tremolite), fine, silky, flexible fibres, white to
grey/green in colour.
Blue asbestos is acknowledged as being the most dangerous, while white asbestos is the commonest
type. However, exposure to any asbestos dust by inhalation is hazardous and must be avoided
completely. Asbestos must not be handled without suitable respiratory apparatus and protective clothing.
Asbestos must be stowed clear of living quarters and away from all foodstuffs.
All types of asbestos should be packed in impermeable bags, and unitized loads should be further securely
enclosed in a cover of impermeable material. Hooks and other sharp equipment must not be used. Damaged
bags must be over-slipped immediately with similar impermeable bags and securely sealed. Spilled material
must be collected and handled following local regulations and always with suitable respiratory
apparatus and protective clothing.
Before stuffing a container with asbestos, all projections inside the container must be removed or adequately
shielded to avoid damage to the bags while in transit. Containers and cargo spaces that have contained
asbestos must be thoroughly cleaned following discharge. They should be considered as contaminated
(and thus requiring the use of respiratory equipment and protective clothing) until the cleaning has been
completed.
Asbestos cement : IMDG Class 9. Cement mixed with 1015% asbestos fibers and generally banned now but may still be
found in some parts of the world. Treat as Asbestos, which see.
Asbestos pipes/tiles/sheet: Manufactured from asbestos cement and generally banned now but may still be found in some parts of
the world. Very brittle and susceptible to damage. Not normally considered as Dangerous Goods.
Hazards of Asbestos and countermeasures
Asbestos dust can cause lung disease or lung cancer. At some point, carrying out repairs may be liable to create asbestos dust, below precaution to be taken into consideration :
- where possible, any work involved which might generate
asbestos dust in the atmosphere should be left until the
the ship is in port, and proper facilities and equipment can be
utilized.
- If it is essential for such work to be carried out, every
precaution should be taken to generate as little asbestos
dust as possible.
- Access to areas where work is taking place should be
limited to the personnel involved
- where practical, working area should be closed off, ie, with
plastic sheeting and signs
- respiratory protective equipment approved for the purpose
should be used.
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