4 Contaminant treatment

4.1          The contaminant treatment method should be that most effective for the contamination present. Consideration should be given to containment and treatment of pests that have a potential for spread. In some cases national authorities may request the specimen be collected for identification purposes.

4.2          If a CTU is found to have a minor recontamination, cleaning can be effected using one of the following methods:

• Sweeping out or vacuum cleaning the CTU and applying an absorbent powder if required;
• Using low pressure water wash;
• Scraping.

4.3          If a live animal or insect is found which can be swept or washed out then this should be done. Bodies of animals should be disposed of safely by bagging and incineration. If the animal is considered as too dangerous to remove, then close the CTU’s doors and inform the CTU supplier.

4.4          Intermodal operators may have contracts with pest control organizations who may be employed to remove serious recontamination.

4.5          Examples of contaminant disposal methods

4.5.1       Bagging

              Most operators within the supply chain can only resort to this option, where any pest or animal waste is placed within bag, sealed and then into a sealable containment bin for collection by a suitable pest control organization (see figure 6.15). It is essential that there is no opportunity for the sealed bags to be attacked by other animals which could spread the pest contamination.

Figure 6.15 Quarantine waste

4.5.2       Incineration

4.5.2.1       High temperature

                 High temperature incineration requires a temperature of 10,000 °C and is unlikely that operators will have a facility to achieve this. Therefore any waste that should be incinerated using high temperature should be passed onto a suitable facility.

4.5.2.2       Low temperature

                 Incineration within a local incinerator for general waste may be suitable for timber and other non-animal waste.

4.5.3       Deep burial

              Deep burial requires quarantine waste to be buried below at least 2 m of non-quarantine waste. It is unlikely that this disposal method for supply chain operators.