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The disinfestation of Council houses is carried out by the
staff of the Housing Department of the Council, the routine
being that described in the report for 1937. All premises continue
to be inspected at the time of routine redecoration, while
all vacant houses are examined prior to re-occupation to reveal
infestation if this has occurred.
Disinfestation of houses other than Council houses was
carried out after notice from the Public Health Department, by
the following methods : —
By hydrogen cyanide 13
By sulphur 6
By liquid insecticides 30
Fumigation by hydrogen cyanide was carried out by a contractor,
the arrangement being one between the owner or
occupier and the contractor.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation of Buildings) Regulations,
1938, came into force on the 1st February, 1939. The
Regulations call for a control which is very welcome. The
following recommendations are taken from an article published
in the Journal of Hygiene, January, 1939 (Page, Lubatty and
Gloyns).
All windows should be kept open for 24 hours unless this
leads to the entry of rain or snow.
A ventilation period of 24 hours is generally sufficient for
an empty house of normal construction. A longer period may
be required for a furnished house or for a house which (a) is
damp, (b) contains an unusual proportion of dead space, (c)
contains rooms without windows providing adequate communication
with the open air.
Fumigation of clothing and particularly of bedding in a
house, as a regular practice, is definitely undesirable.
Upholstered furniture should be placed in such a position
as best to facilitate airing. Cushions, etc. should be spread out
singly on furniture which is not upholstered.
The customary tests with benzidine acetate-copper acetate
should be made. A blue colour, in all air spaces, indicating a
concentration of 0.01 oz./l,000 cu. ft., 0.0009% by vol., or less,
gives a margin of safety.
During the period of ventilation, all windows and other
openings, should be so secured as to prevent the entry into the
house of any unauthorised person. In addition, the premises
should be kept under observation, continually, by a responsible
person.
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