ACR MLG CARGO SPILL.

Narrative

I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF ACFT FOR 7 YEARS. IT IS PECULIAR IN THAT BEING A B-737 COMBI WE OPERATE IN MIXED CONFIGN AT TIMES. WE HAD 2 PALLETS ON BOTH DAYS MY PROB AROSE. IN THE BACK ARE 72 PAX SEATS. THE FIRST ONE ON MAY/XX/94 AT WRO; I NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE #2 CONTAINER. FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND A TOOLBOX (LARGE) WITH CHAINSAW INSIDE. I HAD THE TOOLBOX REMOVED. THE REST OF THE CARGO WAS INSPECTED FOR CONTAMINATION. NONE WAS NOTED. TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL; I HAD THE UNCONTAMINATED CARGO PUT IN A NEW CONTAINER. THE SUSPECT TOOLBOX WAS LEFT BEHIND. CALLED COMPANY TO SEE IF I HAD DONE EVERYTHING I NEEDED. THEY SAID YES; BUT TO BE SURE; I CHKED HMR 175 REGS AND DETERMINED IN MY MIND I HAD DONE EVERYTHING PROCEDURALLY CORRECT. ON THE MAY/YY/94 I NOTICED A PAINT LIKE SMELL IN PSG. FOUND BOX CONTAINING PAINTER'S SUPPLIES IN #1; BUT ALSO 1 GALLON CAN OF ACETONE. I HAD ENTIRE CONTAINER REMOVED FROM ACFT. NO LEAKAGE OUT OF ACFT CONTAINER. CALLED COMPANY AGAIN. THEY SAID ONCE AGAIN; IF NO LEAKAGE OUTSIDE OF CONTAINER (ACFT); I WAS OKAY TO GO. I AM GOING TO PURSUE THIS WITH THE CHIEF PLT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN 7 YEARS THIS HAS HAPPENED.