Unknown Hazmat; Maersk Terminal Tacoma, WA

Maersk Terminal Tacoma, WA | 2003-May-29

Initial Notification: Late afternoon 5/29 MSO Puget Sound called regarding a leak of unidentified clear liquid with a reported pH 12 in a container, still on the vessel, at the Maersk Terminal in Tacoma, WA. No odor was reported. The MSO requested assistance in trying to identify the leaking substance from eight potential UN classes. Dr. Jim Farr helped to narrow the most likely possibilities to UN 2735 (an amine) or UN1760 (acids/bases). Subsequently, additional Dangerous Cargo Manifest information for the container was provided. Based on this information, it was determined the substance was likely ethanolamine or sodium hydroxide. Since ethanolamine generally has a strong ammonia odor, it was concluded that the substance most likely was caustic solution (sodium hydroxide). Relevant MSDS, handling, and other information was provided to the MSO.