1939] 
SERVICE AND REGULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
57 
The vapor of carbon disulfide is inflammable and explosive. At a tempera- 
ture of 297° F. it may take fire spontaneously and in the presence of certain 
metals, particularly copper, it may ignite at considerably lower temperatures. It 
must be kept away from fire, and from hot objects such as electric-light bulbs, 
unprotected brush-type motors, steam pipes, etc. Lighted cigars, cigarettes, or 
pipes must never be brought near carbon disulfide. 
Carbon disulfide is a blood poison, but poisoning by this chemical is rare. 
Exposure to the vapor may cause giddiness and headache. When these symp- 
toms develop, the individual should get into the open air. 
(b) Carbon disulfide emulsion. — The required carbon disulfide emulsion con- 
sists of carbon disulfide, meeting the above requirements, mixed with an equal 
volume of a castor-oil-soap emulsifies which has been prepared according to the 
directions published in the Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 
volume 20, pages 849-850, August 1929. 
The carbon disulfide and the castor-oil-soap emulsifier should be obtained in 
separate containers. The emulsion must never be prepared in a large quantity. 
It should be prepared in the field as it is used. In preparing the stock emulsion, 
equal volumes of carbon disulfide and the emulsifier are mixed. This stock emul- 
sion, when diluted with the required amount of water, forms the treating 
solution. 
Carbon disulfide emulsion, even after dilution, is inflammable. The precau- 
tions given for handling carbon disulfide must be observed. 
(c) Ethylene oxide. — A technical, C. P., or U. S. P. grade is required. 
The vapor of ethylene oxide is inflammable and explosive. It must be kept 
away from fire, and from hot objects such as electric-light bulbs, unprotected 
brush-type motors, steam pipes, etc. Lighted cigars, cigarettes, or pipes must 
never be brought near ethylene oxide. 
Ethylene oxide is not highly toxic to man. Continued exposure to the vapor 
may cause giddiness and headache. When these symptoms develop, the indi- 
vidual should get into the open air. 
(d) Hydrocyanic acid. — Commercial liquid hydrocyanic acid, 96 to 98 percent 
HCN, or this material absorbed on fiber discoids (which are divided into two 
units, each comprising a series of discoids held together in the form of a chain) 
in a can containing 6^ ounces of HCN, or calcium cyanide, 88 percent pure, are 
required. The cylinders and cans of these cyanide products should be stored in 
a cool, dry place. 
Gaseous hydrocyanic acid is inflammable and explosive. All fire and unpro- 
tected brush-type motors must be kept from contact with the gas. Lighted 
cigars, cigarettes, or pipes should never be carried. In addition it is known 
that liquid hydrocyanic acid undergoes decomposition on long storage in a 
closed container. It is advisable that only sufficient of these cyanide products 
be procured for the season's work. The residue left after fumigation with cal- 
cium cyanide is dangerous and great care must be exercised in disposing of it. 
Hydrocyanic acid is a violent poison. Inhaling hydrocyanic acid gas or absorb- 
ing it through the skin is very dangerous and must be avoided. A suitable gas 
mask and rubber gloves must be worn at all times when handling hydrocyanic 
acid, or calcium cyanide, and when opening the hatches of fumigated cars for 
aeration. If it is absorbed by the system, prompt action may prevent serious 
consequences. The established principles of first aid in HCN poisoning are: 
(1) Induce continued heavy breathing of fresh air by artificial respiration, using 
the Shaefer (prone pressure) method; (2) neutralize the gas poisoning with 
weak ammonia fumes or aromatic spirits of ammonia ; (3) call a physician. 
Small bottles of ammonium carbonate, as the source of ammonia fumes, should 
be readily available as an inhalant at all times. 
(c) TjCad arsenate. — Lead arsenate which satisfies the standard requirements 
of the chemical for use as an agricultural spray is required. It should contain 
at least 30 percent of arsenic pentoxide, and not more than 0.75 percent of water- 
soluble metallic arsenic. It should be obtained in powdered form to which no 
stickers have been added. Lead arsenate should be stored in a dry place that 
is not accessible to animals. 
Lead arsenate is poisonous to man and animals. When applying the material, 
the worker should wear gloves to protect his hands, since the poison may be 
absorbed into the system through cuts and abrnsiohs of the skin. The worker 
should keep his hands away from his mouth at all times while handling the 
material and he sure to wash thoroughly before eating. If absorbed by the sys- 
tem, call a physician, give an emetic such as warm water and mustard, and 
give milk or white of egg. 
