60 CIRCULAR 3 6 9, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



fumigator that he assume all responsibility connected with the safe 

 conduct of the fumigation. 



It is not always necessary, or desirable, for persons to leave certain 

 buildings while vaults or similar limited areas are under fumigation. 

 Much depends upon the fumigant used, the type of building, and the 

 methods employed for ventilation. The informed fumigator is in a 

 position to determine what action is necessary. Many routine vault 

 fumigations are conducted daily in congested city areas without dan- 

 ger to human life. It is good practice to keep vaults locked during 

 fumigations. If warning signs are left in place permanently, workers 

 may not notice them. 



Where a piping system is used to apply a liquid fumigant in a vault, 

 the outside assembly of valves may be enclosed in a wire cage provided 

 with a padlock. Stocks of chemicals used for fumigations should be 

 locked, preferably in a cool place away from main buildings. 



Danger signs should be posted. Placards calling attention to the 

 fact that a fumigation is being conducted and warning persons to 

 keep out should be posted on all outside doors of the building. 



Guards for buildings are desirable. Guards should be stationed 

 outside buildings, to make certain that they are not heedlessly entered 

 while being fumigated with a dangerous vapor. 



FIRST AID FOR POISONING FROM HYDROCYANIC 



ACID GAS 



Inhaling hydrocyanic acid gas or absorbing it through the skin 

 is dangerous and must be avoided. If it is absorbed by the system, 

 prompt steps to counteract its action must be taken. Any one or 

 several of the following symptoms may indicate poisoning: 



(1) Weakness or palpitation of the heart. 



(2) Headache or dizziness. 



(3) Rushing of blood to the head. 



(4) Weakness or heavy feeling in the limbs and joints. 



(5) Nausea and vomiting. 



(6) Difficulty in breathing, contraction of the chest. 



(7) Fainting and unconsciousness. 



At the first slight indication of any of these symptoms a fumi- 

 gator should warn his coworker, and they should both immedi- 

 ately leave the building and remove their masks in the fresh air. 



This makes certain that the affected person reaches the fresh air safely. 

 Men have been known to start for the exit only to become unconscious 

 en route, and if this happens the assistance of the coworker is neces- 

 sary. If on reaching the outside the affected person is found to be only 

 slightly affected, he can be left alone until he has fully recovered, while 

 the coworker, with another member of the fumigating crew, returns 

 to complete the work. If, however, a fumigator has difficulty in walk- 

 ing, becomes unconscious, or is appreciably affected in other ways, he 

 should be hastily removed from the building to the open air and 

 immediate provision made to keep him warm. Someone should be 

 assigned to determine the reason for the failure of the gas mask, as 

 outlined later in this section. 



Gas masks should be available. Gas masks should always be 

 worn during fumigation with hydrocyanic acid gas, methyl 

 bromide, chloropicrin, or any other quick-killing fumigant. 



