High frequency of fumigants and other toxic gases in imported freight containers--an underestimated occupational and community health risk.
Residues of pesticide fumigants and toxic industrial chemicals in freight containers represent a health hazard to employees and consumers, especially since freight containers are sealed for transport and distributed widely throughout the importing countries before being opened for unloading. We investigated 2113 freight containers arriving at the second largest container terminal in Europe, Hamburg, Germany, over a 10-week period in 2006. The countries of origin, type of contents and the pesticide fumigation history declared on labels attached to the container were recorded. We determined that 1478 (70%) containers were contaminated with toxic chemicals above chronic reference exposure levels; 761 (36%) even exceeded the higher acute reference exposure level thresholds. Benzene and/or formaldehyde contamination was 4-times greater than for fumigants. Our findings indicate a health risk for dockworkers, container unloaders and even end-consumers, especially as many of the cancerogenic or toxic gases elude subjective detection.
Baur
Xaver
X
ZfAM (Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, ZfAM, Seewartenstrasse 10, Hamburg 20459, Germany. baur@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Poschadel
Bernd
B
Budnik
Lygia Therese
LT
D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D003132:Commerce; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides / Q000032:analysis; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis; D005651:Fumigation / Q000009:adverse effects; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D012767:Ships
D000473:Alkanes; D005025:Ethylene Dichlorides; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D005557:Formaldehyde; C024565:ethylene dichloride; C005218:methyl bromide; C004544:naphtha