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74
"To assist in the removal of the gas a length of 6in. flexible
pipe connected to the exhaust fan is laid in the van on top of
the furniture.
"Gas-tight stoppers are provided to the outlets and inlets
and a thermometer with an external indicator registers
temperature.
"Capped tubes are inserted in several places in the
chamber so that the concentration of gas can be tested at any
time when the chamber is closed for use.
Experience has shown that a period of two hours for
fumigation and one hour to clear the gas is sufficient. Three
vans each containing the effects of one to three families can
therefore be treated daily.
"The smaller chamber has been constructed on the same
lines as the larger one and has a capacity of approximately 250
cubic feet. Its purpose is the fumigation of small quantities
of articles and furniture that cannot be treated by steam or
treated efficiently in the home.
"The plant is operated under the supervision of two of
the disinfecting staff who are engaged on house fumigation
when not operating the chamber. The men engaged in
loading the vans with furniture before fumigation are loaned
overalls, which are fumigated with the furniture on its delivery
to the chamber, and clean overalls are provided for the men's
use when delivering the fumigated furniture.
"All vans are tested for gas before leaving the station and
all soft goods or articles likely to hold gas are placed in one
room of the new home until the following morning. This
room is sealed until tested by the officer in charge.
"Cyanide kept in stock is stored in a brick and concrete
built store at the rear of the gas chamber. This has a ventilating
shaft carried above the roof of the chamber.
"Gas masks and a first-aid outfit are kept in case of need."
Cyanide disinfestation has been carried out at the request of
the Shoreditch and Bethnal Green Housing Associations in regard
to the possessions of families removing from those boroughs to houses
erected by the Associations in Hackney. The belongings of 16 such
families were dealt with in 1936.