POLISH PROCEDURE IN FUMIGATING SHIPS WITH CYANIDE GAS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700100103-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: R
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 25, 2011
• Sequence Number: 103
• Publication Date: January 3, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/10/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700100103-4
COUNTRY
HOW
PUBLISHED
WHERE
PUBLISHED
DATE
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LANGUAGE
CLASSIFICATIOUUN~~RESTRICpTIID
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NCY REPORT
INFORMATION FROM
FOREIGN DOCUMENTS OR RADIO BROADCASTS CD NO.
Poland
Scientific -Medicine,
DATE OF
ship fumigation INFORMATION
1952
Monthly periodical
DATE DIST.
1953
Warsaw
N0. OF PAGES
2
Aug 1452
Polish
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO..
T;~IS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
POLISH PEOCEDURR IN FpMrGAT~iG SHIPS W'ITg OYANIDE GAS
While a group of Polish touris+,s Trere on an excursion along the Polish
coast, T;L_y noticed a ship enchor~d in an out-of-the-Way place, With its funnels
and Portholes covered and "Danger - Gea" silcns displa;~ed ou it. The tourists
were curious and Treated to know what vas going on. In answer to their ques-
shi $~under~uarantineiwithtceaaidesh port authorities' procedure in fumigating
P q Y gas, as Follows:
It is generally ]mown that. rodents and insects spread contagious diseases,
i.aclu9ing typhus, cholera, plague, yElluv fever, and smallpox,
At present, the Portowy Urzad Zdrowia (port Health Authorities) fumigate
ships Trith one of the strongest poiscnous gases eP the cyanide group,
Every ahSp catering port is aub~er_t not only to border authorities and cus-
tom authorities but also to the Portowy Urzad Zdrewia. Particular care is taken
when the ship has arrived from the tropics or from dne of the ports where cases
of 4uarantine diseases have broken out. In addition, the ships are flrmigated
at regular intervals to obtain necessar certiFicates. This is usually done at
the ahip~s homy port, y
Immediately after the ship is unleaded, :t is ta'.cen to a lccation desig-
nated by the KapiEanat Portu (Harbor Mseter~s Office) or by the Portowy Urzad
Zdrovia, The crew removes the supplies of foodstuffs and prepares the living
quertera, eagins rooms, and loading platforms for the oP?sation. At the same
time, all openicif;s such as ventilators, iti:nrels, and vindows are carefl~lly
sealed up.
During fumigation, the ahii, is Zivided into a rodent-exteywinating section,
including loading platforms and engine rooms, and e. disinfection section, namely
crews' quarters and passenger cabins. The disinfecting gas is three times as
powerful aA the gas used to exterminate rodents.
STATE NAVY
ApMY I IAIq
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/10/25: CIA-RDP80-00809A000700100103-4
 Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/10/25 :CIA-RDP80-00809A000700100103-4
In handing over the ship to the sanitary authorities for fumigation, the
captnia signs a statement !hat no one is left on the ship. After the last of
the crew leaves the ship, the Yumigating brigade, with a port doctor in charge,
takes over. The doctor prepares the proper quantity of cyanide for the cubic
volume. The Yoreman of the group quickly co:iducta alast-minute inspection and
chneka xhethsr all the rooms have been pro~riy prepared and xhether the crex
has uncovered the boarded pipes, breeding places of the rats and insets.
After the ship is ready for Rmtigation, the doctor issues the orders for
the operation to start. The fumigators, dressed in tight protective coveralls
and peering gas masks, distribute poison gas containers in previously desig-
nated locations. They open the containers with a fireman's axe an3 quickly head
for the deck of the ship.
The ship remain under gee several hours, depending oa the size of the ship
and the estimated quantity of rats and insects. After a specified period of
time, the brigade returns and quickly peens all the ventilating outlets. A fev
hours later, one oY the responsible members of the crew, under the super-.sips
of a representative of the Portoxy Urzad Zdroxie, starts the mechanical ven-
tilating equipment, phick exchanges the air in all the rooms. The gas is dis-
sipated vithin a fex hours. A final inspection is made by the port doctor,
and the crex is then permitted to return to the ship. The dead rste and insects
are collected sad burned.
After the fumigation has been completed, the captain of the ship receives
a health certiYicate effective for 6 months from a representative of the Portoxy
Urzad Zdrovia.
Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/10/25 :CIA-RDP80-00809A000700100103-4