Fumigants and dangerous gases in freight containers - Italian experiences

Since 2004, the Italian Marine Chemists have been systematically inspecting a percentage of the freight containers that must be opened in the Italian Ports for customs and other reasons. The inspections have been carried out with multigas meters and colorimetric tubes. In these years more than 10,000 freight containers have been inspected and about 20% have been found with gas residues higher than their TLVs and/or with other health problems such as explosive atmosphere, low oxygen content, etc. A significant percentage of the inspected containers resulted to contain a gas concentration above the IDLH (immediately dangerous for life or health) of the analyzed gases (in particular phosphine). Due to the results of those inspections, the Genoa Port Authority has issued a regulation for the inspections of freight containers. Such regulation requires a preventive and compulsory inspection for the containers that contain dangerous goods (classified as by IMO), chemicals and/or usually fumigated goods (grain, rice, wood etc.) that must be opened inside the port. The forwarder must check the containers' documents and request the inspection to the marine chemist. At the moment, the central government is studying a national law in order to extend Genoa's regulation to other ports. Actually these inspections are carried out in the Port of Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Cagliari and Gioia Tauro.