Relevance of the SEBC for hazard classification

During the initial stage of a spill the name of the substance(s) involved, the place of release and the quantity spilled is/are mostly known or easily obtainable, although there were a few accidental spills in the past where in the initial stage even this limited information was missing. For alternative approaches, contours of toxicity, concentration and exposure time and more information will be required which is not easy to obtain in the initial stage of an accidental spill.

The different hazards described in the former paragraphs are very dependent on the compartment (air, water, water surface, sea floor) the substance is present in.

To make a good hazard assessment, both the amount and the effect of a substance in each compartment should be considered.