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TRANSLATION OF DOC. No. NI-9912
Office of Chief of Counsel for
War
Crimes.
DIRECTIVES FOR THE USE OF PRUSSIC ACID (ZYKLON)
FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF VERMIN (DISINFESTATION).
1.
Properties of prussic acid. (hydrocyanic acid)
Prussic
acid is a gas which is generated by evaporation.
Boiling point: 26 degree Centigrade.
Freezing
point: - 15 degrees Cent.
Specific
gravity: 0.69
Steam density: 0.97. (Air: 1.0)
The liquid
evaporates easily.
Liquid: transparent, colourless.
Smell: peculiar, repulsively sweet.
Extraordinarily
great penetrative powers.
Prussic acid is
soluble in water.
Danger of explosion. 75 g prussic acid 1 cbm air. (Normal
application approx. 8-10 g per cbm,
therefore not explosive).
Prussic acid may not be brought into contact with an open
flame, glowing wires etc., because
then it burns up slowly
and loses all its effectiveness. (carbonic
acid, water and
nitrogen are formed).
Toxic effects on warm-blooded
animals.
Since prussic acid has practically no
indicative irritant
effect it is highly toxic and very
dangerous. Prussic acid
is one of the most powerful poisons. 1
mg per kg of body
weight is sufficient to kill a human
being. Women and
children are generally more susceptible
than men. Very
small
amounts of prussic acid do not harm the
human body,
even if breathed continuously. Birds and fishes are
particularly susceptible to prussic
acid.
Toxic effects on insects.
The effects of prussic acid on insects
do not depend on
the temperature to the same extent as that of other gases,
1
TRANSLATION OF DOC. NO.
NI-99l2 contd.
that
is, it is also effective in low temperatures (even at
5
degrees Cent.) The eggs of many insects, particularly of
bugs
and lice, are more susceptible than the full-grown
insects.
Toxic
effects on plants.
The degree of toxicity depends on the type
of vegetation
on
the plants. Plants with thick leaves are less susceptible
than
those with thin ones. Mildew and dry-rot are not
killed
by prussic acid. Prussic acid does not destroy bacteria.
II.
Method of using prussic acid.
ZYKLON
is the absorption of a mixture of prussic acid and an
irritant
by a carrier. Wood fibre discs, a reddish brown
granular
mass (Diagriess - Dia gravel) or small blue cubes
(Erco)
are used as carriers.
Apart from serving its purpose as
indicator, this
irritant
also has the advantage of stimulating the respiration
of
insects. Prussic acid and the irritant are generated
through
simple evaporation. Zyklon will keep for 3 months.
Use
damaged cans first. The contents of a can must all be
used
up at once. Liquid prussic acid damages polish, lacquer,
paint
etc. Gaseous prussic acid is harmless, The toxicity
of
the prussic acid remains unchanged by the addition of the
irritant;
the danger connected with it is however
considerably
decreased.
Zyklon can be rendered [omitted:
inoffensive] by combustion.
III. Possible poisoning.
1.
Slight poisoning:
Dizziness,
headache, vomiting, general feeling of
sickness,
etc. All these symptoms pass if one immediately
gets
out into the fresh air. Alcohol reduces resistance to
prussic
acid gassing, therefore do not drink alcohol before
2
fumigation.
Prescribe: 1 tablet Cardiazol or Veriazol in order to
prevent
heart disorders, if necessary repeat after 2-3 hours.
2. Severe
poisoning.
The affected person
will collapse suddenly and faint.
First Aid: fresh air, remove gas mask, loosen clothing,
apply artificial respiration. Lobelin, intermuscular 0.01g.
Do not give camphor
injections.
(page 2 of
original [translator’s note])
3. Poisoning through the skin.
Symptoms as for 1. Treat in the same way.
4. Stomach
poisoning.
Treat with
Lobelin
intermuscular 0.01g.
ferrous sulphate
burnt magnesia.
IV. Protection against gas.
When
fumigation with Zyklon use only special
filters,
e.g. the filter insert “J” (blue-brown) of the Auergesell-
schaft Berlin or of the Draegerwerke,
Luebeck. Should gas
seep through the mask, leave the building immediately and
change filters after also checking the mask
and its fit to
see whether
they are tight. The filter insert is exhausted
if gas enters through the mask. If using
filter “J”, first
move around in the open air for approx. 2
minutes so
that a certain amount of moisture from the
breath may gather
in the filter insert.
Under no circumstances should filters
be changed inside gas-filled rooms.
V. Personnel.
A disinfestation
squad consisting of at least 2 members
is employed for each disinfestation project. The fumigation
3
chief
is responsible for the fumigation. His particular
duties
are inspection, airing, release and safety measures.
The
fumigation chief is to appoint a deputy in case he has
to
leave. The orders of the fumigation chief are to be
followed
without delay.
Untrained persons or persons who are
trained but who
do
not yet hold a certificate may not be called in to work
on
gassing operations, nor may they be taken into gas-filled
rooms.
The fumigation chief must also know where to contact
his
personnel. Every person must at all times be able to
prove
that he has official authorization for the use of
prussic
acid for extermination purposes.
VI.
Equipment.
Each member must at all times carry with
him:
1. His own gas mask.
2. At least 2 special filter inserts against
Zyklon
prussic acid.
3. The leaflet “First Aid for prussic acid
poisoning.”
4. Work order.
5. Authorization certificate.
Each
disinfestation squad must at all times carry:
1. At least 3 special inserts as extra stock.
2. 1 gas detector.
3. 1 instrument for injecting Lobelin.
4. Lobelin 0.01g. ampules.
5. Cardiazol, Veriazol tablets.
6. 1
lever or pickhammer for opening the cans of Zyklon.
7. Warning signs as per regulation.
8. Material for sealing.
9. Sheets of paper to serve as pads.
10. Flashlight.
4
TRANSLATION
OF DOC. NO.
NI-9912
contd.
All equipment is to be kept clean and in
good order at all times. Damage
to equipment is to be repaired at once.
VII.
Planning fumigations.
1.
Can the fumigation be carried out at all?
a) Type of building and situation.
b) Condition of roof.
c) Condition of Windows.
d) Presence
of heating shafts, air shafts, breaks in
the
walls etc.
2.
Determine the kind of vermin to be exterminated.
3. Calculate
the space. (Do not rely on drawings but take measurements yourself. Take only
outside measurements, include walls)
4.
Prepare personnel.
(Remove
domestic animals, plants, food and drink, undeveloped photographic plates and
gas mask filters.)
5. Find which opening will be particularly
difficult to seal.
Air shafts, drains; large openings which have been
boarded up, roofs.)
6. Settle necessary safety measures.
Guarding, work detachment for sealing)
7. Fix the date for the fumigation and the time for
clearing the building.
8. If necessary, arrange safety measures
for the neighbourhood in good time.
9. Notify authorities.
VIII.
Preparation for fumigation:
1.
Seal.
2.
Open all doors, closets, drawers, etc.
3.
Pull bedding apart.
4.
Remove all liquids (remains of coffee, washing water etc.)
5
(page 3 of
original [translator’s note])
5. Remove all food.
6. Remove all plants and
domestic animals (aquaria etc.)
7. Remove
all undeveloped photographic plates and films.
8. Remove
adhesive plaster, all medical supplies, whether
open or in paper bags
(particularly coal).
9.
Remove all gas mask filters.
10.
Prepare for check on results.
11. Clear
out personnel.
12. Take
over keys (every door key)
IX. The strength
of the gas and time required for it to take
effect depend on
the type of vermin
the temperature
the amount of furniture in the rooms
the imperviousness of the building
For inside temperatures of more than 5 degrees Cent. it is
customary to use 8 g prussic acid per
cbm.
Time needed to take effect: 16 hours, unless there are
special circumstances such as a closed-in type of building,
which requires less time. If the weather is warm
it is
possible to reduce this to a minimum of 6 hours.
The period
is to be extended to at least 32 hours if the temperature
is below 5 deg. Cent.
The strength and time as
above are to be applied in
the case of: bugs, lice, fleas
etc., with eggs, larves and
chrysales.
For clothes-moths: temperatures above
10 deg. Cent.
16 g per cbm and 24 hours to take effect.
For flour-moths: same as for bugs.
X. Fumigation of a building.
6
TRANSLATION OF DOC. NO.
NI-99l2 contd.
1. Check that everybody has left the building.
2. Unpack the boxes of Zyklon. Make the
appropriate amount
ready
for each floor.
3. Distribute the cans. One man to go into the
building
and
receive the cans which have been brought up by the work
detachment
and to distribute them. (Have them put next to
the
pads.)
4. Dismiss the work detachment.
5. Post the guard. Fumigation chief to instruct
guard.
6. Check that sealing and clearing have been
completed.
7. Put on gas masks.
8.
Open the cans and pour out their contents. The contents
are
to be spread thinly so that the Zyklon can evaporate
quickly
and the necessary density of the gas can be achieved
as
soon as possible. This process is to start on the top
floor
but the cellar is to be dealt with before the ground
floor,
should the cellar have ne exit. Rooms which have been
dealt
with should as far as possible not be re-entered.
The
processing is to be done slowly and calmly. The
staircase
particularly should only be used slowly. The
processing
may only be interrupted in an emergency.
9.
The exit door to be locked, sealed
[omitted:
do not forget the lock]
and its key handed
over
to the fumigation chief.
10.
On the door fix a warning sign with the legend “Danger-
Poison
gas. Danger to life; no admittance.” This warning
sign
is to be in several languages if necessary, and in any
case
it must be marked with at least one death’s head,
clearly
visible.
11.
Gas masks, apparatus for resuscitation and gas detectors
are
to be kept available at all times. Every member of the
fumigation
squad must know where these objects are located.
7
TRANSLATION OF DOC. NO.
NI-9912
contd.
12.
At least one member of the fumigation squad must always remain near the
building which is being fumigated. The
guard must be notified of his position.
XI.
Airing.
The airing is connected with the greatest danger for those participating
and others. Therefore it must be carried out particularly carefully and a gas
mask should always be
worn. The airing should place according
to the following principles: pure air should always be within reach in the
shortest possible time and the gas should flow out to that
side where it cannot endanger people who
are not participating. Should the airing be difficult one trained man should
remain in front of the building in order to watch how the gas is blowing away.
1. Take care to see that no strangers
remain in the vicinity of the building.
2. Post the guards in such a way that
they are not annoyed
by the gas as it blows out, but can
still watch the entrances to the building.
3. Put on gas mask.
4. Enter building. Close door, but do
not lock it.
5. First open the windows on that side
of the building
where there is no wind. Air floor by
floor. Start on the
ground floor and after each floor take
at least 10 minutes’
rest.
6. Doors leading to the corridor,
connecting doors
between rooms and windows must be opened
in each room.
Should there be difficulty in opening
any of the windows
they should only be opened after most of
the gas has blown away.
(page 4 of original[translator’s note])
8
7. Partitions and other methods used to seal the room
which cannot be replaced quickly should only be removed
after most of the gas has blown away.
8. Care should be taken to see that the heating system and
water pipes do not freeze should there be frost or danger
of it.
9. Rooms with valuable contents,
such as clothing stores
etc. may be locked again after [sic,
for as soon as]
the windows have been opened.
10. Windows and doors which have
been opened should be
fastened in such a way that they cannot slam.
11. Covers in chimneys may be
removed after the provisional
release [sic, for clearance] of the
building.
12. The airing should continue
for at least 20 hours
13. The guard should remain near
the building during the
whole of this time.
XII. Provisional release.
A fumigated room may be released
provisionally as
soon as the paper strip of the gas
detector is of a lighter
blue than the centre colour pattern,
when the doors and
windows are open. Only work concerned
with airing and
clearing up may be done in the rooms
which have been
provisionally released. Under no
circumstances may anyone
rest or sleep in these rooms. The doors
and windows must
be left open
all the time.
XIII. Clearing up after provisional release.
1. Remove remains of Zyklon from the fumigated rooms.
They should generally be sent back to the factory in the
same way as cans and boxes. Before boxes are sent
back
from the fumigated rooms the inscription “Poison” must be
removed from them. Damp, wet
or soiled remains as well as
damaged cans may not be sent back under any circumstances.
9
They
may be thrown on a rubbish or slag heap, but may never
be
emptied into drains.
2. Mattresses, straw palliasses, pillows:
upholstered
furniture
and similar items must be shaken or beaten for at
least
one hour in the open air (if rainy at least 2 hours
in
the hall) under the supervision of the fumigation chief
[omitted: or his deputy].
3.
If possible the stuffing of straw palliasses should be
changed.
The old stuffing may not however be burnt, but
may
be re-used after it has been aired for a further period.
4.
Should the chimneys have been covered from above,
these
coverings must be removed carefully since otherwise
there
is a danger that the fires in the stoves and hearths
will
not have sufficient draught, which may cause carbon
monoxide
poisoning.
5.
After the final release has been made, two copies of a
fumigation
report are to be filled in in the prescribed
manner.
The following points in particular should be shown:
a) Volume of fumigated rooms.
b) Amount of Zyklon used.
c) Name of fumigation chief.
d) Names of other personnel.
e)
Time required for gas to take effect.
f)
Time at which dis-infested rooms were released.
XIV.
Final Release.
l.
Under no circumstances less than 21 hours after airing
was
started.
2.
All items removed for beating are to be taken back into
the
room.
3.
Doors and windows to be closed for one hour.
4.
In rooms with heating facilities a temperature of at
least
15 deg. Cent. must be produced.
10
TRANSLATION OF DOC. NO.
NI-99l2 contd.
5. Gas detecting. The paper strip may not show a
darker
blue than
the lightest colour even between blankets and
mattresses which have been placed on top of each other,
or in rooms
which are not easily accessible and which it
is
difficult to air. Should this not be the case, airing
must be
continued and the check for gas repeated after a
few hours.
6. The check for gas must be made in each room
of buildings
which are
again to be used as sleeping accommodation as
soon as
possible. Under no circumstances may anyone
sleep
in a room
which has been fumigated in the night following
the
fumigation. The windows must always remain open during
the first
night that the room is used again.
7. The fumigation chief or his deputy may not leave
the
building
until the very last room has been finally released.
Issued by
the Health Institution
of the
Protectorate Bohemia and
Moravia in Prague.
CERTIFICATE OF TRANSLATION.
I, DOROTHEA L. GALEWSKI,
ETO # 34079, hereby certify
that I am thoroughly conversant with the English and
German languages; and that the above is a true and
correct translation of Document No. NI-9912.
DOROTHEA
L. GALEWSKI
ETO
34079
11