The toxic horror chemicals that build up inside containers

Container safety has largely, and rightly, focused on the packing and stowage of cargo, its weight and the correct declaration of a shipment, hazardous or otherwise. However, as this article from Wired illustrates, even in a correctly packed, correctly declared container, a range of noxious gases can inadvertently develop during shipment, posing severe health risks to dockworkers or warehouse workers unstuffing a box at a consignee’s facility.

“They had no idea the shipping container was full of toxic gas. But mere moments after opening it, the two workers began to feel the effects. One man fell unconscious, convulsing with epileptic seizures. The other felt an irritation in his throat and began salivating uncontrollably.

“The cargo papers for the container stated that it contained glassware and ceramics. The workers had no reason to suspect they were in danger. But they were…”