Invented about 8,000 years ago, several centuries before the invention of the wheel, wine is one of the world's oldest beverages, after beer and water. Ancient mythology is full of this symbol, with revered gods such as Dionysus for the Greeks and Bacchus for the Romans. The use of sulfur compounds in wine production is equally ancient.

According to some legends, the Romans added sulfur extracted from the Etna volcano directly to wine to help preserve it. Although these legends are probably true, it was only at the end of the 15th century that a German royal edict was found. The latter allows the addition of sulfur compounds. The presence of sulfites in wine was not revealed until 10 years ago, but mandatory labeling on bottles appeared.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is involved in various stages of the winemaking process. Its antiseptic properties prevent the emergence of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria. Therefore, its presence in bottles prevents the wine from going through a second fermentation or even producing vinegar. Sulfur dioxide is also an antioxidant. This is why it prevents the wine from tasting like cider. Yeasts intended to produce alcohol naturally produce sulfur dioxide and are therefore found in all living things.

Sulfur dioxide is mostly used in the final bottling stage. European standards have set maximum sulfur dioxide levels to be used in wine. Red wine should not exceed 160 mg/L sulfite and white wine should not exceed 210 mg/L. Secondly, since transportation and storage are more delicate, they may contain more sulfites.

The presence of the phrase “contains sulfites” on bottle labels has been the source of much controversy. The parallel between sulfites in wine and headaches is based on the origin of the sulfur used.

Anthropogenic sulfur, unlike natural sulfur, is never completely pure (burning fossil fuels). For this reason, many independent winemakers are starting to limit the use of sulfur, and when they do use it, they are choosing natural sulfur.

Many people believe that sulfites are responsible for the “harsh result.” Paradoxically, sulfur is found in dried fruits, egg yolks and many vegetables, and excess of these does not cause post-morning headaches. These are mainly caused by thirst caused by alcohol and not by sulfites, the presence of which is regulated and limited.

For the amount of sulfur in wine to become truly harmful to human health, you would have to drink very large amounts every day. So remember to drink small amounts to avoid sulfur poisoning!

Find our full range of gas detection and respiratory protection equipment for winegrowers, especially for the prevention of CO2 risks in winemaking.

methanization , that is, organic substances (vegetable or animal substances) decomposition ) or anaerobic digestion of domestic waste, It produces a gas called biogas. This, methane (CH4) (usually between 50% and 70%) carbondIoxide , at a low rate hydrogen sulfide (responsible for the odor of this gas) and in varying concentrations of water vapor is a mixture. Biogas, especially in swamps and in the wastelands in the atmosphere naturally can be produced. Also, especially wastewater and sludge treatment in the digesters during artificially is synthesized. in the food industry is also available.

Institutions, according to international climate scientists, the global climate change in recent years has been focusing on biogas for several years, as it is a part of In France, since the publication of the decree dated 9 September 1997, recycling biogas in waste land It is mandatory. Biogas recycling is of ecological interest as it could be an alternative to fossil fuel power. Therefore, economic activity linked to biogas is being developed: in 2012 there were 214 production facilities, while at the end of 2013 this number was 848. If it is not recycled, it must be incinerated. The main reasons for recycling or disposal are its toxicity, explosiveness and large volume.

Biogas is a flammable gas because it consists mostly of methane, but hydrogen sulfide and caustic because it contains a gas toxic is a gas. The digestive process involves the movement of bacteria and particles, which can lead to a variety of effects in humans. Therefore, an optical flame detector such as the Spyglass SG50 is ideal for detecting methane, avoiding the risks of methane, especially thanks to the color video option.

in the eyes (conjunctivitis) and nasal (cold) irritations and nausea are symptoms of high levels of exposure over a short period of time. Chronic exposure does not cause death, but rather effects the brain (headaches and chronic fatigue) or the digestive system (abdominal aches and nausea). organ failure leads to . Risks to humans are quite minimal if all basic precautions associated with activity around this gas are taken.

Various research projects on the number of deaths caused by atmospheric pollution observe that 3.3 to 8.8 million people in the world, mostly in Asia, will die prematurely due to symptoms related to ozone and fine particle pollution.

This pollution should not be confused with the ozone layer located at very high altitudes. Bad ozone It is located at low altitude. such as carbon oxides (NOx) or hydrocarbons It is the result of various compounds. The main source of this pollution is cars. At high temperatures or lack of wind Since ozone remains in the atmosphere is more important.

Symptoms are versatile depending on duration and frequency of exposure as well as concentrations. They range from mild irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract (tingling in the eyes and nose) to respiratory illnesses.

Diameter less than 2.5 micrometers Particles that are are considered fine. These particles give shape and consistency to smokes. The main emissions come from cars, but also from forest fires and heating appliances.

These infinitely small particles pass directly through the respiratory tract unhindered and settle in the lungs. They are responsible for respiratory diseases and infections resulting from repeated and prolonged exposures over the long term.

Nitrogen such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitric oxide (NO) compounds It is mainly expelled by the internal combustion engine (diesel), but also by thermal power plants or raw material combustion. Therefore, urban areas are primarily affected by this pollution.

However, nitrogen oxides are very toxic and are widely used as fertilizers in the food industry. Therefore, there is a risk when fertilizers are spread on fields, especially in rural areas

Regardless of the fumes generated during welding, they have been classified as carcinogenic substances by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) since 1990.

The metal being welded is never completely cleaned, the fumes produced during welding are dangerous and stored. The presence of oils, dyes or some thin oils produces highly carcinogenic products such as formalin or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (or polyaromatic hydrocarbons).

These fumes appear in two stages. First, the weather. decomposition (emission of CO, CO2, ozone, nitrogen vapors, etc.) is the resulting gas phase . Secondly, it is made of welded metals. respirable fumes and dust but also caused by the electrode in the form of aluminum or chrome is the particle phase.

To protect against these carcinogenic factors, there are three different respiratory protection methods depending on the nature of the welding activity:

Source gas masks : Lightweight and ergonomic, highly effective filtering respiratory protection for occasional or short-term work They offer . They are positive pressure devices, meaning the user exerts respiratory effort.

Powered air-supported breathing apparatus for welders : With positive pressure systems that inject breathable air into the headgear They are ideal for long-term work . However, the use of these units requires an oxygen concentration rate higher than 19.5%.

Stand-alone devices for welders : used primarily for working in closed spaces (sinks, holes, pits, crawl spaces, pipes, tanks, sewers…) where the atmosphere is unbreathable (when the oxygen concentration rate is below 19.5%). They are divided into two categories: self-contained breathing apparatus And airway devices . The first category is ideal for short-term jobs, and the second category is ideal for long-term or tiring jobs.

Phosphine (PH3) is a gas composed of phosphorus hydride (its official and international name is phosphane). PH3 is a colorless, flammable and very toxic gas with a fishy or garlic odor. Phosphine acts on the central nervous system and lungs, causing pulmonary edema. Symptoms such as weakness, vomiting, headache, and chest tightness may occur rapidly after exposure. Exposure to high concentrations of phosphine – even short-term – can lead to chronic neurological problems, so people who work with or are around phosphine should be extremely careful. Therefore, industries working with this toxic substance must have a detector to avoid risks, such as the SI-H100 gas detector with integrated sampling pump.

Fumigation is a technical process that consists in spraying a gas in a closed cabinet (barrel, skid, crate, container) to destroy pests (mostly living organisms (bugs, beetles, moth, rodents…)); The most commonly used gas is phosphine.

This method is mandatory for international shipping, for example, to prevent bacteriological contaminations or the introduction of animals or insects from one continent to another. The only gases authorized by FAO are hydrogen phosphide or phosphine (PH3) and methyl bromide (CH3 Br).

Phosphine is very dangerous for humans. For example, in 2010, two dock workers in the Netherlands were seriously poisoned while unloading a container from China containing a high concentration of toxic gas, and one of them was in a coma for 5 days.

Persons who may be in contact with PH3, such as warehouse workers or customs officers, should be systematically equipped with a PH3 phosphine gas detector as personal protective equipment. Additionally, people working in confined spaces potentially contaminated with phosphine or working with this gas are strongly recommended to wear a gas mask with a type B cartridge adapted for phosphine filtration.

In conclusion, phosphine gas fumigation is a delicate process that is often necessary for workers but involves real dangers and must be carried out with extreme caution!