Selection of chemicals stored at Coode Island

Benzene	Highly flammable toxic liquid; low flash point and low exposure standard of 5ppm. Benzene can create menstrual disorders; it is an established human carcinogen; it can cause cancers of the white blood cell (leukemia) and cross the human placenta to affect unborn children. Spills of Benzene occurred at Coode Island in 1993 from the tanker 'Stolt Alzalea' (300 litres) and in 1995 from the 'San Antonio' (2,500 litres).
Acrylonitrile or Vinyl Cyanide	low flash point, highly flammable, explosive, toxic; vapour cloud hazard, potential of a fireball. In the body it acts like cyanide by interfering with the use of oxygen cells. Exposure to high concentrations may cause a bluish discolouration of the skin, shallow breathing, collapse, convulsions and possibly death. A 20 year study of workers potentially exposed to the chemical found an increased incidence of cancers of the intestines, lung and prostate. Hydrogen cyanide is a combustion product. It was the Acrylonitrile tank which caught fire in 1991.
Propylene Oxide	highly flammable, toxic, flammable vapour clouds, fireballs and blast pressure extending beyond 800 metres (Coode Island Review Panel).
Toluene Disocyanate	is in the same family of chemicals as Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) which was released at Bhopal, killing thousands of people; exposure standards are set low because it is a potential human carcinogen; high concentrations can cause chemical bronchitis with severe asthma like wheezing and possible fatal lung damage.
ACETONE	Acetone is a colourless, volatile liquid with a sweet odour. It is a widely used industrial solvent and chemical intermediate. Like most solvent, exposure to very high concentrations (over 1 000 ppm) of acetone can produce dizziness, drowsiness, nausea (narcotic effects).
BUTANOL	Butanol can irritate the eyes, throat and skin and cause skin cracking, headache and drowsiness. It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation or directly through the skin.
DICHLOROMETHANE (METHYLENE CHLORIDE)	Short term exposure may irritate the nose, throat, eyes and skin. At higher concentrations exposure can cause mild depression of the central nervous system', fatigue, reduced coordination, loss of consciousness and death.Moderately toxic if swallowed. Long term exposure may cause liver and kidney damage. There is no evidence that this chemical is carcinogenic.
DIOCTYL PHTHALATE (DEHP)	Mist can irritate the nose, throat and eyes. May cause blood noses, headache and nausea. Vomiting and diarrhoea can occur if swallowed. No evidence of harmful effects from long term occupational exposure. No data for humans but some evidence of carcinogenicity in animals.
ETHYL BENZENE	Short term exposure may cause mild irritation to skin and eyes. Ethyl benzene has a low toxicity if swallowed but may cause severe lung damage if accidentally breathed into the lungs (aspirated). There is little evidence of chronic low level toxicity in humans. Intense long term exposure may affect the central nervous system. There is no evidence that ethyl benzene is carcinogenic although it may contain trace levels of the carcinogen benzene.
SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION (CAUSTIC SODA)	Inhalation of mists or dust can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. Massive exposure to the aerosol can cause life threatening lung damage. Severity of injury to the eyes and skin depends on concentration. Sodium hydroxide is extremely corrosive and can cause severe burns with deep ulceration. Long term effects of exposure to sodium hydroxide dust did not reveal any conclusive evidence.
STYRENE	Short term exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, vomiting and depression. Extreme exposure may cause unconsciousness and death. The liquid can be absorbed through the skin and may be toxic if swallowed. Long term exposure may affect the nervous system.
TETRAETHYL LEAD	A colourless liquid which is sometimes dyed for identification. Has a sweet musty odour. Used as a motor fuel antiknock agent. Extremely hazardous to health. Toxic effects can result from swallowing or absorption through the skin. Repeated inhalation of the vapour may cause liver and kidney damage and may affect the nervous system. Exposure standards have not yet been established for this chemical.
TOLUENE	Short term exposure can affect the central nervous system causing dizziness, confusion, poor coordination, nausea and vomiting. Massive exposure can cause liver damage, unconsciousness and death. Long term exposure can affect the memory and coordination. There is no evidence that toluene is carcinogenic.
TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE (TDI)	The vapour may irritate the respiratory tract. High concentrations can cause chemical bronchitis with severe-asthma like wheezing and fatal lung damage in rare cases. Irritation and corrosion of the mouth, throat and stomach tissue can occur if the liquid is swallowed. Long term exposure can produce asthma like conditions and reduced lung function. TDI is carcinogenic in laboratory animals but there is no information for the effect on humans.