C/V Atlantic Atoll; New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut | 1998-Nov-13

Initial Notification: On November 13, 1998, the container vessel (C/V) Atlantic Atoll was docked at the terminal in New Haven Harbor when two longshoremen unloading the vessel began showing symptoms of acrolein exposure (one of the cargoes on the vessel) and were hospitalized. A 'Level A' inspection into the hold was conducted and readings ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 parts per million (ppm) near the five acrolein marine portable containers (from 4000 to 4500 gallons each) and 0.5 ppm under the containers. The immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) level was 2 ppm. Other cargoes onboard were zinc ingots and uranium. Personnel from the State of Connecticut's Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection and the New Haven Fire Department were on-scene. Also on-scene was a mobile laboratory with a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS,). The vessel was secured for the night with hatches open to help ventilate the hold. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) was waiting for an owner's representative who was familiar with acrolein before proceeding. November 12, the responsible party's (RP) representative arrived with contractors from Boots & Coots. Additional entries into the hold were made that morning and levels were very low. The testing results from the day before were in question as to possible sample contamination. USCG district 1. Keyword: none.