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DOT’S 10 STEPS TO COLLECTION SITE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY

BIOCHEMICAL TESTING (THE BENZENE EXPOSURE PROBLEM)

IDENTIFYING EXPOSURE TO BENZENE

Shipping has shown a growing interest in Biochemical Testing for Benzene Exposure. Since this is a serious health matter, ELSSI in its support services is offering this test to our shipping clients.
The ELSSI benzene test is based on recent guidelines of the American College of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), their preference for the monitoring and assessment for benzene exposure will be to measure the metabolite, phenyl mercapturic acid (PMA), in a random urine sample .The method used is by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).

WHO HAS RISKS OF EXPOSURE TO BENZENE

Workers in various industries that make or use benzene may be at risk for being exposed to high levels of this carcinogenic chemical. Industries that involve the use of benzene include the rubber industry, oil refineries, coke and chemical plants, shoe manufacturers, and gasoline-related industries. Downstream petroleum industry operations include the following categories: refinery, pipeline, marine, rail, bulk terminals and trucks, service stations, underground storage tanks, tank cleaning and of course the ship that transports these petroleum products and goods.

DATA ON BENZENE

Benzene is a natural occurring constituent of crude and is one of the most basic petrochemicals. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. Benzene evaporates into air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. It is highly flammable. Most people can begin to smell benzene in air at a concentration of 1.5-4.7 parts of benzene / per million parts of air (ppm) , smell benzene in water at 2 ppm and can also begin to taste benzene in water at 0.5-4.5 ppm. As a comparison, one part per million is approximately equal to one drop in 40 gallons. Benzene is found in air, water, and soil. Benzene comes from both industrial and natural sources.

DEFINITION AND REQUIREMENTS OF:THE NEW COAST GUARD SERIOUS MARINE INCIDENT RULE

DRUG TESTING

Drug testing must be conducted on each individual engaged or employed on board the vessel who is directly involved in the SMI.
i. The collection of drug-test specimens of each individual must be conducted within 32 hours of when the SMI occurred, unless precluded by safety concerns directly related to the incident.
ii. If safety concerns directly related to the SMI prevent the collection of drug-test specimens from being conducted within 32 hours of the occurrence of the incident, then the collection of drug-test specimens must be conducted as soon as the safety concerns are addressed.

ALCOHOL TESTING

The new Coast Guard Serious Marine Incident rule requires that crewmembers of commercial vessels be tested for alcohol within two hours of a Serious Marine Incident.
The rule requires vessels to have an alcohol testing device on board if the vessel cannot reach a shore-side alcohol testing facility within two hours of a Serious Marine Incident.
The rule requires that the alcohol testing device be approved by the Department of Transportation as an Evidential Breath Measurement Device (EBT) or an Alcohol Screening Device (ASD).
The rule requires that the operator of the device be trained.

ELSSI SAMPLING KIT

ELSSI provides a D/A sampling kit for emergencies and to comply with the US Coast Guard Serious Marine Incidents (SMI) requirements. Subject kit is exactly the same as that used by collectors and contains relevant information and directions on its use.

SMI: SERIOUS MARINE INCIDENT – USCG RULING 46 CFR 4.03-2

The term serious marine incident includes the following events involving a vessel in commercial service:

  1. Any marine casualty or accident as defined in Sec. 4.03-1 which is required by Sec.4.05-1 to be reported to the Coast and which results in any of the following:
    1. One or more deaths;
    2. An injury to a crewmember, passenger, or other person which requires professional medical treatment beyond first aid, and, in the case of a person employed on board a vessel in commercial service, which renders the individual unfit to perform routine vessel duties;
    3. Damage to property, as defined in Sec. 4.05-1(a)(7) of this part, in excess of $100,000;
    4. Actual or constructive total loss of any vessel subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. 3301; or
    5. Actual or constructive total loss of any self-propelled vessel, not subject to inspection under 46 U.S.C. 3301, of 100 gross tons or more.
  2. A discharge of oil of 10,000 gallons or more into the navigable waters of the United States, as defined in 33 U.S.C. 1321, whether or not resulting from a marine casualty.
  3. A discharge of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance into the navigable waters of the United States, or a release of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance into the environment of the United States, whether or not resulting from a marine casualty.

SALIVA KIT: Q.E.D.® SALIVA ALCOHOL TEST

The Q.E.D.® Saliva Alcohol test is a technological breakthrough that can be used as an accurate, quantitative measurement device for obtaining blood alcohol levels using a saliva sample. The test can reliably be used in place of blood, urine, or breath testing methods which require expensive equipment and operator training. Through a preset chemical reactive process that requires no user intervention, a color bar rises to the level of alcohol present in the system in much the same way as a mercury thermometer. In extensive clinical trials, saliva alcohol levels measured by the Q.E.D.® Saliva Alcohol test demonstrated a high correlation rate of 98% (r=0.98) to blood analyzed by sophisticated laboratory gas chromatography methods.

BENEFITS:

  • Meets 2006 U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Requirements
  • Non Invasive, Quantitative Results in 2–4 Minutes
  • Interpretation like Reading a Thermometer
  • Long Shelf Life of 10–12 Months
  • Individually Sealed in Foil Envelope with Cotton Swabs
  • Built–in Quality Control and Calibration
  • U.S. DOT Approved for Testing and Evidence
  • High Correlation (r=.098) to Blood Analysis results
  • No Special Equipment or Training Required
  • FDA–Cleared/CLIA Waived

ON THE SPOT LEADER IN ALCOHOL TESTING

On-Site, Low-Cost Alternative to Breath or Blood Testing

  • Fast and Simple Testing Process
    Provides quantitative results in less than five minutes using only a saliva sample.
  • Accurate & Quantitative Results
    Offers results similar to blood-based test and a thermometer-like reading, leaving no room for misinterpretation of results.
  • Built-in QA Spot™
    Assures quality control for every test by ensuring test administrators apply specimen in the correct location with the correct quantity of specimen.
  • Low Cost
    Provides a lower cost per test option than breath or alcohol.
  • Department of Transportation Approved
    Delivers CLIA-waived and DOT-approved alcohol testing that can be administered by any trained professional.>

FAST AND SIMPLE TESTING PROCESS

  • Step 1: Swab
  • Step 2: Insert
  • Step 3: Read