Classification as a marine pollutant (GESAMP hazard profile)

The GESAMP hazard profile is an alphanumerical fingerprint indicating a substance’s hazards to the aquatic environment. A substance’s effect on the aquatic environment is rated on 13-point base, the ratings start with 0 indicating no hazard and proceed through higher numbers reflecting increasing hazard.

The hazard profiles for substances transported by sea in bulk can be found on the website of IMO.

The hazard profile gives a rating for each of the following 13 aspects:

A - Bioaccumulation and Biodegradation

A1 the degree to which a substance accumulates in aquatic organisms

A2 whether or not a substance l degrades

B – Aquatic toxicity

B1 the degree of acute toxicity to aquatic organisms

B2 the degree of chronic toxicity to i aquatic organisms

C – Acute mammalian toxicity

C1 the degree of oral toxicity to mammals

C2 the degree of dermal toxicity to mammals

C3 the degree of inhalation toxicity to mammals

D – Irritation, corrosion & long term mammalian health effects

D1 the seriousness of skin irritation/corrosion

D2 the seriousness of eye irritation/corrosion

D3 Identification of possible long term health risks

E – Interference with other uses of the sea

E1 whether or not the substance can taint seafood (resulting in off-flavour or smell)

E2 physical behaviour of the substance (see paragraph 2.4.5)

E3 the probability for a substance to interfere with coastal amenities

A hazard profile of benzene is given in Figure 47. From this profile we can conclude that benzene:

A1 has low potential to bio accumulate

A2 is readily biodegradable

B1 is slightly toxic

B2 has unknown chronic toxicity

C1-C3 has a slight oral toxicity, and negligible dermal and inhalation toxicity.

D1, D2 is irritating to skin and eye

D3 is potentially Carcinogenic, Mutagenic and can cause Target organ systemic toxicity

E1 is not liable to taint seafood

E2 evaporates very fast forming a gas plume

E3 forms a significant physical hazard to onshore and offshore amenities

The GESAMP hazard profile was devised for the particular purpose of developing and implementing the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

However, because of the large amount of information about a substance given in a small format, it is very useful for hazard evaluation beyond this purpose.

For more information about the hazard indicators and specific hazards to the marine environment, see section 5.2.