Automation of Phosphine Flushing after Completion of AlP Lot Fumigation

The paper aims at tackling the problem of human exposure to harmful phosphine gas after the removal of tarpaulin on the fifth day of lot fumigation. The fumigation activity was done using aluminium phosphide sachets. The deliverable has been achieved by pumping in fresh air using a centrifugal fan and a hose pipe inside one lot and the phosphine levels were monitored after the same. This method had dual benefits, firstly, scavenging the relatively denser phosphine gas and secondly flushing out phosphine gas from the tarpaulin sheets before lifting up the tarps manually. The method proved to be effective and thus, food handling industries can employ this method to minimize reliance on PPE while removal of tarpaulin sheets after fumigation of agro-based products.