IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers
The IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) during meeting earlier this month reviewed the documents (DSC 16/3/21 and DSC 16/INF.6), as submitted by INTERTANKO, proposing a revision to the requirements for the carriage of antidotes within the Medical First Aid Guide (MFAG).
INTERTANKO provided a clinical case study on 144 incidents of accidental exposure which underlined the view that the earlier the antidote is administered, the faster the victim will recover.
INTERTANKO also stated that there have been documented cases of incidents that have occurred since the last revision of the MFAG in 1998. These incidents serve as examples to illustrate scenarios such as where antidotes have been available onboard and administered promptly, and the casualty survived; and where the antidote was not available and the casualty died, despite the victim being airlifted for hospital treatment. These examples were taken from 1999, 2007 and 2009.
While there was support for the INTERTANKO proposal from the industry (ITF; IFSMA & NI) and the Philippines, delegates from member states (Germany, Norway, France, Finland, UK and Cook Islands), on the basis of the advice provided to them by their medical experts, held the view that there was no evidence that amyl nitrite is effective as an antidote. It was also held that antidotes (including the easy-to-apply amyl nitrite ampoules) are to be administered only under medical supervision.
It is for these reasons that no review of the carriage requirements was deemed necessary at this stage.
The sub-committee did agree, however, that if sufficient evidence of the benefits of the use of amyl nitrite as an antidote is forthcoming, then such carriage requirements may again be reviewed at a later date.
Source : INTERTANKO
