Decontamination of materials : air raid precautions handbook no. 4 / Home Office, Air Raid Precautions Dept.

Date:
1937
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Decontamination of materials : air raid precautions handbook no. 4 / Home Office, Air Raid Precautions Dept. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/76 page 14
    after only superficial attention. Another point of importance is that the supply of chloride of lime, the most practical chemical neutraliser of mustard gas, would be strictly limited, and its use could not be justified on sites of no real importance. The problem will vary considerably in countries with dissimilar climatic conditions because the properties, and in particular the persistence, of the gas is deter- mined by these conditions. The methods of decon- tamination described in this handbook are suitable for dealing with gases in a temperate climate, but may require some modification under tropical conditions. 8. How to Deal with Non-persistent Gases. In exposed areas non-persistent gases will rapidly diffuse into the air and drift down wind. No decon- tamination treatment is necessary, but if the crater is covered with fresh earth it will reduce the continued evolution of gas from the soil saturated by the bomb. In cases where the gas has entered confined spaces or buildings, the first step is to ascertain that the outside air is free from gas and, if so, to ventilate the building freely by opening doors, windows, etc. Fanning with newspapers or the lighting of a fire will help to produce the necessary circulation of air and may be of special value in dealing with areas or base- ments where normal ventilation is poor. §. Methods of Decontamination for Persistent Tear Gases. Three methods of decontamination are applicable to persistent tear gases :— (1) To cover over the liquid with fresh earth. (2) To hose down the area so as to wash away any gas unabsorbed. (3) To treat the contaminated material with suitable chemicals to destroy the substance which causes watering of the eyes.
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