RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 High frequency of fumigants and other toxic gases in imported freight containers—an underestimated occupational and community health risk JF Occupational and Environmental Medicine JO Occup Environ Med FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 207 OP 212 DO 10.1136/oem.2008.043893 VO 67 IS 3 A1 Xaver Baur A1 Bernd Poschadel A1 Lygia Therese Budnik YR 2010 UL http://oem.bmj.com/content/67/3/207.abstract AB 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.