Pesticide poisonings at ports 

Many goods imported to the UK are fumigated before arrival. These treatments are either required by importers, or required under various new regulations designed to prevent introduction of pest species. 
    The goods are generally fumigated inside their freight containers. The simplest and cheapest method involves placing phosphine-generating tablets in the containers and allowing them to react. Less frequently methyl bromide is used, and less frequently still sulphuryl difluoride is used.
    Ports are transit points from where containers are generally transferred directly on to their final destination. However, a number of statutory bodies (e.g. Customs and Excise, Food Quality Inspectors, Trading Standards, Forestry Commission, Plant Health Inspectors) have duties to inspect incoming cargo at ports. Containers selected for inspection are opened by port workers and cargo removed for examination. In the Port of Felixstowe around 1,200 containers are opened for inspection every month.
    Problems arise where containers still contain active fumigant. In 2001, two Port of Felixstowe employees were hospitalised after opening such a container. In response the port started testing for the presence of gas in containers from China. However, a second hospitalisation incident occurred after workers were exposed to gas in a container from Singapore. The Port of Felixstowe now tests for the presence of gas in all containers employees are required to open. In 2002, out of the 12,038 containers inspected 325 (or 2.7%) contained gas. The majority contained phosphine (295) while most of the remainder contained methyl bromide (28). Procedures are now in place such that containers with gas are removed for venting by fumigation contractors.
    International maritime agreements require that fumigated containers carry warning labels and that shippers notify shipping lines when fumigated containers are to be carried. However, very few comply.
    While the Port of Felixstowe has taken steps to protect employees many ports lack such safety measures. The numbers of containers travelling under fumigation is likely to increase as more countries introduce legislation to prevent the spread of pest species. It is vital that the relevant agencies work together to ensure compliance with existing maritime agreements. It will also be important to ensure measures are in place to minimise fumigant treatments. (RM)

British Pest Control Association, PestEx 2003.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 62, December 2003, page 20]