Abstract

Many of the goods destined for the Dutch market are transported in containers over the sea. A substantial number of these containers are treated with pesticides such as methyl bromide to protect cargos against pests and to prevent transportation of exotic insects. The Inspectorate of the Dutch Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment has led an investigation to quantify the risks to public health from possible exposure to these pesticides. Here, goods were shown to absorb the pesticides during exposure which may later be released in homes, causing humans to be exposed. Even though the risks of the exposure seem to be so small that they can be classified as 'negligible risk' according to Dutch policy, the uncertainties here are large: e.g. the number of treated containers with pesticides is rising and limited samples were used in the research. Groups or products that appear to be at higher risk are: personnel and consumers opening containers that still contain pesticides in higher concentrations, but without adequate protection; immigrants or people being repatriated who have moved their house effects in containers treated with pesticides and medicines transported in containers treated with pesticides where the active substances have reacted with the pesticides. Most of the pesticide applications were not found to be stipulated by regulations pertaining to the nature of such goods as stone sculptures or plastics. For this reason we advise the policymakers to cooperate with large enterprises and transporters in exploring how to avoid pesticide treatment with pesticides, especially (but not only) with respect to medicines. Further, immigrants should be offered information leaflets that point out the risks of having their homes treated with pesticides.