Identification and Categorisation of Toxic Chemical Gases in Shipping Containers

Abstract

Approximately 30% of all the worlds shipping containers that are transported daily may contain increased concentrations of different chemical compounds that may be toxic and carcinogenic. The study focuses only on containers transported by sea and airborne chemicals and highlights volatile organic compounds. This study investigates the correlation between fumigation and natural off-gassing chemicals from the packaged goods shipped. The study identifies, categorises, and compares literary appearances from chemicals and measurements from a company performing container gas measurements daily. This study wanted to investigate if gases can emit during transportation on long sea voyages or if it is just from fumigation these chemicals originate from. The results show a higher volume of chemical gases inside shipping containers and that most chemical substances in shipping containers are most likely emitted during transportation. This indicates that significantly more shipping containers may have a mixture of chemicals depending on the transportation and type of goods transported.