GENERIC MSDS FOR BUNKER (RESIDUAL) FUELS
PRODUCT HEALTH AND SAFETY DATA
1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUBSTANCE/PREPARATION
PRODUCT: MARINE INTERMEDIATE FUEL, GRADE 380
DATE OF ISSUE: AUGUST 1, 1993
2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
For current health and safety information on marine fuels, contact any bunker fuel Sales
representative in the country where the bunker purchase took place.
3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
The normal conditions of use and storage of this product afford little opportunity for a health
hazard, provided skin contact is avoided. This product is a defatting agent and contains low
concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which are known, from experimental
animal studies, to be carcinogenic. Prolonged and repeated skin contact may therefore cause
dermatitis such as erythema, oil folliculitis or oil acne or warty growths which over a period of years
may become malignant. Exposure to high concentrations of mist from this product may cause
irritation to the eyes or mucous membranes and even a remote risk of cancers of internal organs.
High concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, a very toxic and potentially lethal gas, can sometimes
develop in confined or poorly ventilated spaces associated with this product. The odour of
hydrogen sulphide does not provide a reliable indicator of the presence of hazardous levels in the
atmosphere. Handling precautions must be strictly observed.
4. FIRST AID
INHALATION: In emergency situations use proper respiratory protection to immediately remove the
affected victim from exposure. Administer artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Keep at
rest. Call for prompt medical attention.
SKIN CONTACT: Wash thoroughly with plenty of water, using soap if available. Remove
contaminated clothing. In case of burns through contact with hot product, cool with plenty of
running water. Get medical attention.
EYE CONTACT: Rinse immediately with plenty of water until irritation subsides. Splashes of hot
product should be immediately flushed with clean water until irritation subsides. Get medical
attention.
INGESTION: If swallowed, DO NOT induce vomiting; keep at rest and call a physician.
5. FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Combustible material, low hazard. The product can form
flammable mixtures or can burn only on heating above the flash point. However, in a small
percentage of residual fuels, light hydrocarbon components can generate flammable headspace
gases not detectable by the flash point test. Residual fuel headspaces should therefore be
regarded as potentially flammable and suitable precautions, as outlined in the OCIMF (Oil
Company International Marine Forum) bulletin dated December, 1989 and in Chapter 23 of the
revised 3rd edition of ISGOTT (International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals), should
be taken.
SPECIAL FIRE-FIGHTING PROCEDURES: Water fog or spray, to cool fire-exposed surfaces (e.g.
containers) and to protect personnel, should only be used by personnel trained in fire fighting. Cut
off "fuel"; depending on circumstances, either allow the fire to burn out under controlled conditions
or use foam or dry chemical powder to extinguish the fire.
Respiratory and eye protection required for fire fighting personnel exposed to fumes or smoke.
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS: Smoke, sulphur oxides, and carbon monoxide in the
event of incomplete combustion. Possible release of hydrogen sulphide during heating or hot
storage.
6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS: See Section 8.
LAND SPILL: Shut off source taking normal safety precautions. Prevent liquid from entering
sewers, water courses or low lying areas; advise the relevant authorities if it has, or if it
contaminates soil/vegetation. Take measures to minimise the effects on ground water.
Recover by skimming or pumping using explosion-proof equipment, or contain spilled liquid with
booms, sand, or other suitable absorbent and remove mechanically into containers. If necessary,
dispose of adsorbed residues as directed in Section 13.
WATER SPILL: Confine the spill immediately with booms. Warn other shipping. Notify port and
other relevant authorities.
Remove from the surface by skimming or with suitable absorbents. Disperse the residue in
unconfined waters, if permitted by local authorities and environmental agencies.
7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
In bulk storage the product may require heating for pumping, centrifuging and atomising at the
burner. The design and operation of the fuel system must comply with national legislation and
recognised codes of good practice. Warn personnel involved in gauging and sampling of storage
tanks that the headspace is potentially flammable due to the possible presence of light
hydrocarbon gases. Safety precautions include the earthing of all metallic equipment used for
sampling, ullaging and temperature measurement. Precautions must be taken also against
inhalation of hydrogen sulphide in case it is present in the headspace. Electrical equipment and
fittings must comply with local fire prevention regulations for this class of product.
LOAD/UNLOAD TEMPERATURE deg. C: upto 60
STORAGE TEMPERATURE deg. C: upto 60
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: When heating to normal handling temperatures, avoid local
overheating. Provide adequate ventilation if fumes are being developed.
8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMIT: An exposure limit for this high boiling aromatic oil of 0.2
mg/m3 (TWA, 8 h- workday), measured as benzene solubles (Analysis according to US NIOSH
Method 5023, NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods, 3rd Ed.).
For Hydrogen Sulphide, 10 ppm (14 mg/m3) (Analysis using Draeger or similar detector tube).
PERSONAL PROTECTION In open systems where contact is likely, wear safety goggles,
chemical-resistant overalls, and chemically impervious gloves.
Where only incidental contact is likely, wear safety glasses with side shields. No other special
precautions are necessary provided skin/eye contact is avoided.
When concentrations in air may exceed the occupational exposure limit, and where engineering,
work practices, or other means of exposure reduction are not adequate, approved respirators may
be required.
9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
APPEARANCE / ODOUR: Black viscous liquid with an asphaltic odour.
DENSITY, g/ml: Max 0.991 at 15 deg. C (range 0.94 - 0.991)
BOILING RANGE: 230.0 – 600.0 deg. C
VISCOSITY, mm2/S: 380.0 at 50 deg. C (range 375 - 385)
VAPOUR PRESSURE, kPa: at 20 deg. C Non-volatile
VAPOUR DENSITY AT 1 BAR (Air=1): Heavier than air
EVAPORATION RATE (n-butyl acetate=1): Non-volatile
SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 20 deg. C Negligible
pH: Not Applicable
FLASH POINT: > 60 deg. C METHOD: PMCC (min. 60 C)
FLAMMABILITY LIMITS IN AIR, % BY VOL:
LEL: UEL:
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE: > 250 deg. C (min. 250 C)
PARTITION COEFFICIENT n-octanol/water: Data not available.
10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
STABILITY (THERMAL, LIGHT, ETC): Stable
CONDITIONS TO AVOID:
Keep away from excessive heat and open flames.
INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS:
Avoid contact with strong oxidants such as liquid chlorine and concentrated oxygen.
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS:
Product does not decompose at ambient temperature.
11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
EFFECTS OF OVER EXPOSURE:
INHALATION: Negligible hazard at ambient/normal handling temperatures. In high concentrations
and/or at elevated temperatures, vapour or mist is irritating to mucous membranes, may cause
headaches and dizziness, may be anesthetic and may cause other central nervous system effects.
Contains small amount of hydrogen sulphide which can accumulate to dangerous levels in the air
space above the material.
SKIN CONTACT: Prolonged or repeated contact may dry and defat the skin, leading to irritation
and possibly dermatitis.
Prolonged or repeated contact may also lead to more serious skin disorders, including skin cancer.
Exposure to hot material may cause thermal burns.
EYE CONTACT: Hot splashes may cause eye burns and permanent tissue damage.
INGESTION: Minute amounts aspirated into the lungs during ingestion or vomiting may cause
severe pulmonary injury and death.
CHRONIC: Lifetime skin painting tests indicate that materials of similar composition have produced
skin cancer in experimental animals. The relationship of these results to humans has not been fully
established.
Contains polynuclear aromatic hyrocarbons (PNAS). Prolonged and/or repeated skin contact with
certain PNAs has been shown to cause skin cancer. Prolonged and/or repeated exposures by
inhalation of certain PNAs may also cause cancer of the lung and of other sites of the body.
TOXICITY DATA
ACUTE
The exact composition of this product may vary and the potential health hazards described were
based upon the possible components.
CHRONIC
Based on what is known of this product and of materials of similar composition and refining history,
this product would be expected to have carcinogenic potential.
12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
In the absence of specific environmental data for this product, this assessment is based on
information for general hydrocarbon components found in residual fuels. Residual fuels,
immediately following a release into the environment, will remain largely on the soil surface, and in
water, will distribute largely between the water and sediment surfaces. Based on chemical/physical
information from the literature for selected components in this product, harmful effects to terrestrial
and aquatic habitats could occur. This product is expected to be resistant to biodegradation and to
persist in the environment.
13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
This product contains hazardous ingredients listed in Section 2. Collect and dispose of it at an
authorised disposal facility, in conformance with national and local regulations, and in accordance
with directives on hazardous waste.
14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
USUAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS: Tankers, rail cars, tank trucks, drums. Do not use galvanised
steel, zinc/lead or zinc/copper alloys or natural rubber tank material.
TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE deg. C: 10 - 60
15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
For current health and safety information on marine fuels, contact any Sales representative in the
country where the bunker purchase took place.
16. OTHER INFORMATION
PRODUCT TYPE / USES: Heavy fuel oil for large slow speed marine diesel engines, steamships
and as blending stock for intermediate marine diesel fuels.
SOURCE OF KEY DATA: The recommendations presented in this Material Safety Data Sheet
were compiled from actual test data (when available), comparison with similar products,
component information from suppliers and from recognised codes of good practice.
----------------------------NOTE----------------------------
The information and recommendations contained herein are, to the best of knowledge and belief,
accurate and reliable as of the date issued, but are offered without guarantee or warranty. They
relate to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in
combination with any other materials or in any process. Conditions of use of the material are under
the control of the user; therefore, it is the user's responsibility to satisfy himself as to the suitability
and completeness of such information for his own particular use.
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