Gas Measurement

There are several ways gases can enter containers:

1. During the production of goods, chemicals are used which can evaporate during transport to the customer, so-called production gases. Fresh products can also leach out.
2. Pesticide gases added to goods to kill pests.
3. Packaging materials can emit gases just like the goods.

Sea containers contain hazardous gases. Research has shown that up to 1 in 3 (via FNV) containers contain concentrations of gases that exceed occupational hygiene limits. In other words, anyone who enters a sea container runs a real risk of exposure to danger.

From a logistical point of view, it is interesting to perform the gas measurements and degassing immediately upon entering the port. For safety reasons, it should be planned before unloading the container that the time between the gas measurement, degassing and unloading is as short as possible. Gas can still escape from the cargo during transport from the port to the destination.

We perform measurements on-site at customers and at various inland terminals. We also have a drive-in measuring station in Rotterdam where trucks can come by for a measurement.

Customs Support Safety works with the most advanced, durable and high quality measurement equipment:

• 1) Gasmet FTIR (Fourier Transform infrared) analyzer.
  Each gas has a unique infrared spectrum similar to a fingerprint. With this equipment we can measure over 440 substances. All measurements are time-stamped and therefore always reproducible.

• 2) Dräger X-AM 8000
  Our Dräger instruments are equipped with high-quality sensors for the best measurement results.
• 3) Gas detection tubes
  Gas detection tubes are also still used, particularly as a control tool and for training purposes.

• 4) Exposure research

Within the framework of occupational hygiene, we can also conduct exposure research using air samples.

A container that is degassed is ventilated until it is collected from the terminal to be delivered to the customer. We know from experience that gas concentrations can quickly rise again after the doors are closed. That is why we advise our customers to unload the containers as soon as possible after degassing. Are you still in doubt? We can also perform a gas measurement on site.