Are residual fumigants an ‘exported’ occupational health hazard? A pilot study of worker exposures during the unpacking of imported freight containers

Introduction
Freight containers are increasingly used as a major mode of transport in global trade. Meanwhile, more countries are also tightening biosecurity measures through both international and national quarantine standards and regulations. This has meant a widespread use of highly hazardous chemicals as fumigants. These include alternative products used as substitute for the environmentally damaging but still popular fumigant of choice methyl bromide which has been banned in many developed countries.
Preliminary research showed that a range of residual chemicals, including fumigants are present in containers examined for quarantine and customs purposes. Incidents where workers who open these containers experienced health effects from exposure to airborne chemical contaminants were also reviewed. We initiated a ‘pilot’ study to investigate worker exposures to hazardous chemicals when opening imported containers with fumigated timber products.

Methods
(A) Personal monitoring using Passive Organic Vapour Badges and dual anasorb charcoal tubes with sampling pumps. Analysis using GC-MS.
(B) Workplace Information Tool (WIT) to gather information on container profiles (fumigants used, source, products), unpacking tasks, control measures and worker health symptoms.

Results
Findings of personal monitoring results will be presented with comparison to national Occupational Exposure Standards for each of the chemicals present. WIT data will be analysed to identify effectiveness of control measures and health effects on workers.

Discussion
Exposure to residual chemicals in containers and current measures for its control will be discussed. The occupational health linkage between fumigators in exporter countries and unpackers in recipients in the supply-chain will be examined. The potential for international collaboration between the exporters who are mainly developing countries and recipients such as Australia and countries in the European Union to address the issue can be explored. Training and information provision for pesticide exposure reduction will be an area of mutual interest.