Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
IN FLOUR MILLS
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
Marketing Research Division
Washington, D. C.
This handbook was prepared by planning this handbook, and criti-
the Stored-Product Insects Section, cally reviewed the text. The Food
Biological Sciences Branch, Mar- and Drug Administration, Depart-
keting Research Division, Agricul- ment of Health, Education, and
tural Marketing Service. It super- Welfare, under whose supervision
sedes Circular 720, "Controlling In- residue tolerances for pesticides on
sects in Flour Mills," prepared by raw agricultural products or milled
the former Bureau of Entomology food and feed products are estab-
and Plant Quarantine. The Sani- lished, concurs in the insect control
tation Committee, Association of procedures recommended.
Operative Millers, collaborated in
CONTENTS
Page Page
Grain supply 1 Fumigation in the flour mill 10
Why infested wheat is unfit for General considerations 10
milling 2 Protection of personnel 10
How to obtain clean wheat for First aid 12
milling 2 Preparing the mill 12
Detecting internal infestation 2 Fumigation with hydrocyanic acid. 13
Visual observation 2 Open-space application 14
X-ray method 2 Machinery-piping system 16
Cracking flotation method 2 Fumigation with methyl bromide _ 17
White flotation method 3
Grain as a source of infestation in Fumigation with chloropicrin 20
the min 3 Local fumigation 21
Other sources of infestation in the Heat and cold for treating flour
mill 4 mills 23
Stock used for blending pur-
poses 5 Continuous-process heat treatment
Returned flours 5 of milled cereal products 23
Second-hand machinery 6 Insect contamination in milled
Accumulated feed stocks 6 cereal products 24
Infestation from nearby ele- Insect control in the warehouse 25
vators - 6 Sanitation and warehouse man-
Insect population in flour mill 6
Controlling the insect population agement 25
in flour mills 7 Fumigation 25
Sanitation in the mill 8 Bulk flour storage 26
Prevention and control 8 Insect-resistant bags 26
Use of sprays in the mill 9 Infestation in transit 26
Keeping the tail end of the mill
free from insects 9 Bulk transportation of flour 27
Handling choke-up stock 9 Electromagnetic energy 28
February 1958
Producing flour that will meet aim of the milling industry. This
high standards of purity and main- handbook suggests procedures and
taining the flour in that condition provides information on how to pre-
until it reaches the consumer is the vent insect infestation in flour mills.
Grain Supply
Stock Used for Blending Purposes ing cloth and then through a treat-
ing machine using centrifugal
The demand for blended flour by force, as a precautionary treatment
large baking concerns necessitates to remove or destroy any insect life
the use of large quantities of clear that might later start an infesta-
and low-grade flours that mills may tion. The overs should also be
obtain in part from their own ware- treated with centrifugal force be-
houses and in part from other mills. fore being spouted to feed.
Usually these flours have accumu-
lated over a period of time and, Returned Flours
since they are highly preferred by
the insects, are frequently infested. Returned flours are always a
Stock intended for blending problem to the miller because they
should first be examined to deter- invariably constitute a serious
mine whether it contains insect con- source of infestation. Formerly
tamination. Insect excrement in these were fed back into the mill
flour cannot be removed by any and incorporated into one of the
many blends required by modern
practical rebolting process, and markets. If, as was usually the
flour that contains an appreciable case, these flours were infested, the
infestation of insects is considered same difficulties were experienced as
unfit for human consumption and are described in the preceding sec-
should be diverted to feeds. tion when infested clears are used
Flour intended for blending for blending.
should be run through a sifter Returned flour that is infested
clothed with number lOXX bolt- should be sterilized by heat, treated
by centrifugal force or by some machinery should be fumigated in
other accepted method, and diverted an atmospheric vault, under a tar-
to feed immediately. It should paulin, or in a railway box car be-
never be stored even temporarily in fore it is set up in its new quarters.
the mill or flour warehouse.
Mills that deliver by truck en- Accumulated Feed Stocks
counter the problem of providing
for the return of infested flours The practice of storing certain
during their regular delivery trips. feeds in the mill or flour warehouse
If freshly milled flours are placed during periods when such feeds are
in the same truck with infested accumulated is exceedingly com-
flours, they are likely to become in- mon. It is difficult to produce feed
fested also. Not infrequently, in- that is entirely free from insect in-
sects crawling from the infested festation, owing to the impossibil-
products are delivered to customers ity of sifting it through fine enough
along with fresh stocks of flour. If mesh to remove insect life. If
returned flour products must be feeds are stored near flour or mill-
picked up in the course of a deliv- ing machinery, insects are sure to
ery trip, provide the truck with a migrate from the feeds.
separate compartment into which Feeds can be treated by centrifu-
these products can be placed, thor- gal force in such a manner that all
oughly clean the truck between insect life is killed, but unless mills
trips, and burn or otherwise treat are equipped for this, the feeds
the sweepings so as to destroy the should be stored in a separate ware-
insects they contain. Feed and house as far as possible from the
flour should never be delivered in mill and the flour warehouses. Of
the same truck. course, warehouses should be kept
sanitary.
Second-Hand Machinery
Infestation From Nearby
Used machinery occasionally is Elevators
purchased from mills that are be-
ing dismantled. All milling units Many of the insect pests of stored
are likely to contain some infesta- grain and milled cereal products are
tion, and machinery that has been strong fliers. During grain-clean-
lying idle for some time is almost ing operations it is not uncommon
sure to be heavily populated with for insects removed in the process to
insects, because they thrive and re- be blown out into the open air.
produce rapidly in undisturbed ac- Many of these insects will fly from
cumulations of milling stock. Un- elevator to flour mill, where they
less proper precautions are taken, will start infestations in elevator
used machinery may introduce in- boots or in any milling unit into
sects into a mill. Infestations of which they can crawl. The red flour
the Mediterranean flour moth are beetle and the flat grain beetle are
known to have been frequently car- the two species most likely to come
ried from one mill to another in this from such sources. Insects removed
way. in grain-cleaning operations should
If possible, second-hand milling be destroyed immediately.
445005°—58-
Conveyors on reels and purifiers dling machinery, or that leaky mill-
should be replaced by hoppers. ing units are repaired; that the
Dust-collecting systems require floors and hard-to-reach places are
constant attention. Many are poor- kept clean by the sweepers ; that un-
ly designed, quickly become choked- used machinery, lumber, and other
up, and allow infestations in the materials likely to collect dust are
stock in these systems to crawl back disposed of; that dead stock does
and infest all milling units. Sys- not accumulate under milling units
tems in which settling chambers are or other stationary objects, on
eliminated are preferred. Enclosed beams, ledges, or other places ; that
stocking-type dust collectors that insects are not breeding in elevator
permit rapid effective fumigation boots, conveyors, or other machin-
are highly desirable from the stand- ery where dead stock occurs; that
point of insect control. The system dust-collecting machinery is func-
must be cleaned out regularly. tioning properly and is not choked.
Elevator boots should be changed A more mechanized system of clean-
to the rounded-bottom type raised ing flour mills is highly desirable.
above the floor. This will eliminate A proper combination of vacuum,
most of the excess milling stock and mechanical floor sweepers, and ju-
prevent insects from crawling from diciously used compressed air jets
one boot to another. must be used if sanitation in the
In modern concrete mills with milling industry is to become more
concrete floors and walls, the prob- effective and economical in com-
lem of mill sanitation is not so dif- parison with other industries.
ficult as in an old wooden mill.
Every effort should be made to Prevention and^ Control
eliminate dead spaces in walls and In spite of every precaution some
floors where dust and flour can ac- insect infestation will show up in
cumulate. Double, hollow walls every mill. Conditions in the flour
and partitions should be eliminated. mill system are ideal for insect de-
If floors are of wood, all cracks velopment, so that an active control
should be filled. Old wooden floors program must be established and
or badly worn concrete floors that maintained in every mill to hold the
are difficult to keep clean can be insect population to negligible pro-
renovated by application of quick- portions at all times. The follow-
setting plastic over the old surface. ing program, if adhered to, can be
Surplus flour-handling equip- depended upon to give satisfactory
ment, and all other unused machi- results.
nery likely to harbor insects, should A general fumigation with
be disposed of. methyl bromide, hydrocyanic acid,
or chloropicrin once a year during
Sanitation in the Mill July or August, supplemented with
A good sanitation program the local fumigation of milling
should be followed in every mill. units every 2 weeks, and the bi-
One man should be designated to weekly removal of milling stock
see that the mill is kept clean and with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner.
sanitary and to study ways and If it is impossible to adhere to
means of eliminating trouble spots. this program during periods re-
Daily inspections should be made, quiring continuous operation of the
starting with the mill elevator and mill, considerable relief from infes-
continuing through all floors of the tation may be obtained by regular
mill and flour warehouse. Care use of the heavy-duty vacuum
should be taken to see that there cleaner in cleaning out dead stock
are no leaks in grain or flour-han- in milling units during short pe-
8
riods of "down" time for necessary inspections and repairs, remove the
mill repairs. This operation will lower sifter socks first, and place
not require the amount of time a close-fitting metal cap over the
needed for local fumigation. Cer- sock connection with the slide spout,
tain heavily infested individual ma- until repairs have been completed
chines can be stopped long enough and sifter sections have been thor-
to vacuum-clean them. oughly cleaned.
If infestations are allowed to
Use of Sprays in the Mill build up without restraint in mill-
ing units in front of the main bolt-
Insecticidal sprays are a very use- ers, the danger of insects getting
ful part of any mill sanitation pro- past the bolters by the avenues men-
gram, but their use must be care- tioned will be increased. When
fully controlled as it is mandatory insects are abundant in any part of
that no insecticidal residues appear the mill they will migrate, and if
in the milled products. Synergized flour conveyors are of wood or not
pyrethrum or allethrin are effective entirely tight, insect infestation
as contact sprays against mill in- will result from the entry of these
sects and can be safely used inside migrating insects or their progeny.
and outside milling machinery. The introduction into mixing con-
When stock is removed from mill- veyors of clear, low-grade, and re-
ing units by vacuum cleaning, many turned flours from rebolt reels is
millers follow up with pyrethrum also an important source of infes-
spray. Many formulations are tation in the tail end of the mill.
available commercially and they Such stock should be given a pre-
should be used as directed by the cautionary treatment before it is
manufacturer. It is suggested that used for blending purposes.
other insecticides used as residual Sweepings should be directed
sprays on walls and floors be lim- through a "shoe" or small sifter to
ited to those approved for use on remove foreign material and then
or around grain. treated by centrifugal force before
being introduced into feed.
A centrifugal force machine (fig.
Keeping the Tail End of the Mill 2), used alone or in conjunction
Free From Insects with sifters, will j)rovide added
protection against infestation in
The main bolters act as a nat- finished flour. One of these ma-
ural barrier against insect infes- chines can be installed directly in
tation entering the tail end of the the top of packer bins, or outlet
mill, as the sifter screens through spouts from it can be directed to
which all flour must pass before it one or more bins as desired.
enters the flour-collecting convey-
ors are clothed with silk bolting
cloth fine enough to remove all in- Handling Choke-up Stock
sect life. Occasionally, however,
breaks in the silk bolting cloth al- Clean choke-up stock fed into the
head of the mill, usually into first,
low insect infestation to pass into second, or third break, is picked
the flour-collecting conveyors. up in sacks and may be stacked
Furthermore, whenever sifter sec- temporarily next to sweepings.
tions are opened for inspection or This stock should be directed
repair, infested tail-overs may drop through a "shoe" or small size sifter
into the flour spouts and into the and then treated with centrifugal
conveyors unless the sifter socks are force before being fed back into the
first removed. When making these mill.
Fumigation in the Flour Mill
At times all mills become so in- age may be great enough to prevent
fested that simple sanitary meas- an effective concentration from ever
ures are insufficient and more effec- being attained.
tive treatments, such as fumigation Before starting to fumigate,
or heating, are necessary. notify the local police and fire
departments as well as security
General Considerations organizations in writing. In most
large cities a permit must be ob-
The fumigation of flour mills and tained. Search the entire mill to
warehouses is a specialized opera- make certain that no visitors or
tion, the success of which is depend- workmen are still on the premises,
ent on the care and skill with which lock all entrances, and put up
it is accomplished. Owing to this warning signs. Adjoining build-
fact and also because the fumigants ings, if any, should be vacated.
used in the work are highly toxic to After the fumigant has been
humans and dangerous to handle, introduced, post watchmen to
it is usually best to have general prevent the entry of people who
mill fumigation done by profes- do not know the building is under
sional fumigators. Keliable fumi- fumigation.
gating concerns are usually avail- At the end of the exposure
able in all parts of the country and period, ventilate the building
on reasonably short notice, and thoroughly by opening doors,
render good service for a moderate windows, and ventilators. This is
price. Some of them specialize in usually accomplished by men
mill fumigation and are particular- wearing gas masks, although
ly well equipped for it. For certain sometimes doors and windows
types of fumigation large concerns can be opened from the outside.
may wish to keep a corps of spe- In all fumigation operations it is
cially trained workers. well to have men working in pairs
Success in the fumigation of any so that in case of accident, one
building depends on the proper man may be able to help the other
preparation of the building itself, and perhaps even save his life.
the choice of the fumigant, its Watchmen must be particularly
proper application, and favorable vigilant to prevent bystanders or
weather conditions. Since insects workmen from entering until all
are more susceptible to fumigants danger from the fumigant has
when temperatures are high and been removed.
fumigants are correspondingly
more active and efficient, better re- Protection of Personnel
sults will be obtained when the tem-
perature is 75° F. or higher. If Every precaution should be tak-
possible, conduct the fumigation en to avoid exposure of the opera-
when there is little or no wind, as tors to heavy concentrations of
a heavy wind will cause the fumi- fumigants. If the operators must
gant to drift over to one side of the expose themselves to the vapors,
building, leaving an inadequate or must enter a building being
concentration at the other side. fumigated to open it up for venti-
It is desirable to obtain the maxi- lation or any other purpose, they
mum concentration of a fumigant must wear gas masks.
in a building at the earliest possible Always have an adequate oxygen
moment. If the concentration resuscitator available in case of
builds up slowly, the natural leak- emergency.
10
There are two general types of against organic vapors such as car-
gas masks. One has a facepiece bon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride,
and a supply of oxygen or com- chloropicrin, ethylene dichloride,
pressed air provided from a pres- and methyl bromide; a yellow can-
sure cylinder carried on the oper- ister, against a combination of acid
ator's back (similar to those used gases and organic vapors ; and a red
in "skin-diving"), or from a re- canister against a combination of
mote source through a hose line. gases. A list of gas masks of dif-
The other, which is most frequently ferent makes that have been ap-
used, has a facepiece and a canister. proved by the U. S. Bureau of
Gas-laden air is drawn through the Mines is given in Bureau of Mines
canister and the gas removed by fil- Information Circular 7636, and is
tration. The facepiece of rubber available free from their Pitts-
or rubberized fabric can be adjusted burgh, Pa. (Zone 13) office.
to fit tightly across the forehead, Before using a canister-type gas
along the cheeks, and under the mask in fumigation work, the op-
chin, and is connected by a short, erator should realize that it has cer-
flexible, noncoUapsible tube to a tain limitations. (1) A mask of
sheet-metal canister containing ab- the type described above cannot
sorbent materials. A light harness be safely used in an atmosphere
or knapsack is provided to suspend seriously deficient in oxygen. A
the canister from the shoulders or gas mask ceases to be adequate if,
to strap it to the chest. The face- in the presence of an excess of a
piece is provided with shatterproof simple asphyxiant gas, the oxygen
glass eyepieces and with a check content of the air falls below 14
valve through which exhaled air percent, even though it removes any
escapes. At the bottom of the can- toxic gas present in the respired
ister is a check valve, which opens atmosphere. Not enough oxygen is
only to admit air. available to support life. (2) The
Some canister types of masks ordinary gas mask does not af-
have the facepiece reduced to a ford protection against heavy
mouthpiece and a nose clamp. The concentrations of a fumigant
wearer breathes through a rubber such as might be encountered in
device inserted and held in the a grain bin or atmospheric vault
mouth. This type does not pro- under fumigation. Most canis-
tect the eyes from irritating gases ters are designed to protect against
and is not recommended. concentrations of less than 2 per-
For each of the gases likely to be cent of toxic gases in the air. In
encountered in fumigation work, a ordinary mill fumigations, concen-
special canister is available. Most trations heavier than this are not
canisters are charged with mate- usually encountered. (3) The life
rials intended to absorb only a lim- of the canister is limited ; it can
ited number of closely related gases, absorb just so much gas and then
although the all-service canister is must be changed. A good prac-
designed to afford protection from tice is to discard canisters after
a combination of gases. A color one-half hour of actual use in air
code has been adopted by the Bu- containing a toxic gas. Each can-
reau of Mines whereby canisters de- ister should be marked to indicate
signed for different gases are as- the total period it has been used.
signed a specific color, e. g., a white Unless a gas mask fits tightly,
canister gives protection against is free from defects, and does not
low concentrations of acid gases leak, it is useless. Before enter-
such as hydrocyanic acid and sul- ing a gas-filled room, an operator
fur dioxide; a black canister, should be sure that the mask is care-
n
fully fitted to the face and head, possible and continuing for 20 to
that it is securely fastened, and that 30 minutes in mild cases and as
there are no leaks. On first enter- long as 1 to 2 hours, if necessary,
ing a gas-filled room while wearing will be helpful in gas poisoning
a gas mask, he should make sure or asphyxiation.
that there is no odor of the fumi- 5. Keep the victim lying down
gant. If any odor is detected, he so as to avoid a strain on the
should leave the building immedi- heart; later give him plenty of
ately and determine the trouble. time to rest and recuperate.
It must also be realized that
fumigants can be absorbed di- Preparing the Mill
rectly through the skin. Do not Sealing
take for granted that the wearing
of a gas mask will afford com- The effectiveness of a fumigation
plete protection. Heavy gas con- depends largely on the tightness of
centrations are particularly dan- the building. Instead of each floor
gerous, and care should be taken being fumigated separately, the en-
to avoid exposure to them, even tire mill should be considered as
though a mask be worn. one unit, because inspection and ob-
servation after fumigation have
shown that many insects can sur-
First Aid vive in the sacking or other mate-
In case of poisoning by toxic rial used to plug openings running
gases or asphyxiation due to lack from floor to floor. All windows
of oxygen, a doctor should be should be tightly wedged or sealed,
summoned as quickly as possible. and any broken panes should be re-
Forbes and Grove ^ suggest the fol- placed. Loosely fitting window^
lowing treatment : sashes should be sealed with paste
1. Remove the victim to fresh and paper, or "puttied up" with
air as soon as possible. flour and oil mixed to the consis-
2. If breathing has stopped, is tency of putty. For stripping
weak and intermittent, or is pres- window frames that are only slight-
ent in only occasional gasps, give ly loose, several types of material,
artificial respiration, preferably such as masking tape, strips of
by the prone-pressure method, newspaper smeared with grease or
until normal breathing is re- pasted with flour paste, or rolls of
stored or until it is definitely be- unsterilized adhesive tape, can be
lieved that the heart action has used. When it is impossible to
stopped. tighten a window by the ordinary
3. Aid circulation by rubbing method of sealing or stripping, it
the limbs of the victim and keep- is necessary to seal the entire aper-
ing the body warm with blankets ture. For this purpose car-lining
or hot-water bottles. paper can be used.
4. It cannot be emphasized too Small doors leading to the exte-
strongly that inhalation of pure rior of the building can be tight-
oxygen or 5 to 7 percent of car- ened with any of the materials used
bon dioxide and 95 to 93 percent for the windows. Large sliding
metal or wooden doors that fit im-
of oxygen, beginning as soon as perfectly can be calked up with the
^Forbes, J. J., and Grove, G. W. Pro- flour-and-oil mixture or with a
tection against mine gases. U. S. Bur. paste composed of 4 parts of asbes-
Mines Miner's Cir. 35, 52 pp., iUus. 1954. tos to 1 part of calcium chloride
(For sale by the Superintendent of Docu- mixed with a little water. Either
ments, U. S. Government Printing Office,
Washington 25, D. C. Price 55 cents. ) of these mixtures will form an effec-
12
tive seal yet can be easily removed 3. Clean out suction trunks, con-
after fumigation. veyors, and dust-collector sys-
For sealing ventilators on the tems.
roof, use laminated paper, three 4. Examine settling chambers of
thicknesses of heavy paper covered dust collectors and clean out all
with sacking or canvas and well accumulations.
pasted and tied, or covers made of 5. Open dust collector, back drafts,
plastic film. Wherever possible, main trunks, and hand open-
remove the mushroom-shaped cap ings.
of the ventilator and replace it with 6. Loosen all sifter doors to permit
a metal cap, which fits the cyclone entrance of gas during fumiga-
exhaust pipe snugly. tion; remove sieves and stack
same on the floor.
Cleaning Operations 7. Clean out accumulations from
bottom section of the bran
Before Stopping the Mill duster.
1. Shut off feed (wheat) at mix- 8. Remove covers of all conveyors,
ing bin. making certain that all dead-
2. Continue running all machin- end spaces are readily accessible.
ery until material is emptied 9. Thoroughly clean all conveyors,
from spouts, elevators, rolls, including dead-end spaces.
sifters, reels, purifiers, feed 10. Remove adjustable feed gage
dusters, suction trunking, and above grinding rolls and clean
dust collectors. out accumulations above rolls
3. Remove elevator-boot slides and feeders.
and station men along the boots 11. Leave every machine open ; also
to keep stock pulled out where all hand openings to spouts, ele-
belt cups will not carry it up vator legs, and similar places.
in its natural course. 12. Give special attention to the
4. Meanwhile, hammer elevator cleaning out of dead spouts or
legs, machinery, frames, tubu- conveyors, especially the cor-
lar dust collectors, and spouts ners.
with a rubber mallet or other 13. Remove accumulations of stock
device that will not bruise or from elevator boots.
injure the equipment. 14. Remove to the fumigation vault
all infested materials accumu-
After Stopping the Mill lated in cleaning the mill.
1. Start the entire clean-up crew 15. Remove all bags or other ma-
at the top of the mill and work terials used to plug spouts.
downward. 16. Seal roof ventilators or replace
2. Open all machines, conveyor mushroom-shaped caps with a
boxes, and flour bins. tight metal cap^
Figure 4.—Liquid hydrocyanic acid being pumped into a flour mill undergoing fumigation.
14
side the building where it can be that the liquid does not spray
connected to a cylinder of gas. his clothing. Operate the pipe
In large mills with several floors, wrench with the handle above the
where numerous branch lines are connection instead of below it, so
used, each floor should be provided the material will not run down
with a separate riser. At least one the handle onto the arms and
spray nozzle should be provided for clothing. If in doubt whether
every 10,000 cubic feet of space, and the spray has reached the cloth-
it is generally advantageous to use ing, or if the liquid has run down
more than this. The piping system the arms and possibly onto the
should be so arranged that the pres- shirt or coat, remove the clothing
sure of the gas will be approxi- and wash the hands and arms
mately the same at all nozzles, thus before removing the mask.
insuring an even distribution of the
gas. Each riser is connected with a Applying the Gas
special inlet pipe leading through Each cylinder of liquid hydrocy-
the outside wall of the building. anic acid is supplied with an inlet
Piping plans are usually designed and an outlet valve. The outlet
by an employee of the fumigating valve is attached to a steel tube con-
company after he has surveyed the nected with the bottom of the cyl-
building. Should blueprints of the inder. The inlet valve leads di-
mill or rough sketches and measure- rectly into the top of the cylinder,
ments be forwarded to one of these and through it air is pumped by
companies for making piping plans, means of a compressor, until a pres-
be sure to show offsets and whole or sure of about 100 pounds is ob-
part partitions. Note any other tained. The outlet valve, which in
special condition, such as heavily the meantime has been connected
infested machinery, rows of pack- with the inlet pipe to the building,
ing machines, or other places of is then opened and the liquid is
heavy infestation, so that an extra forced into the building. The pres-
spray nozzle may be added at this sure must be maintained until all
point if it is thought advisable. the liquid has been blown through
There should not be more than 10 the pipes into the building. The
spray nozzles to each riser. Where pipelines are then blown clear and
grain or flour bins are piped, a the inlet pipes capped.
separate riser for these bins should
be used. Removal of Spray Nozzles
Reinforced rubber hose is used After the fumigation and after
to connect the cylinders to the the building has been well venti-
piping system. This hose must lated, the spray nozzles should be
be kept in good condition, since removed for storage and the pipes
there is always some danger that should be capped. While remov-
the weakened hose may burst ing spray nozzles the operator
under pressure and shower the should take care to prevent any
operator with the deadly fluid. liquid, which sometimes remains
Before applying the material, in the pipe, from dropping onto
take care that all connections out- the face or other parts of the
side the building are tight. body. He should never stand di-
Should a leak develop where the rectly under the nozzle while re-
hose from the cylinder is moving it. Should any liquid
attached to the piping, the con- hydrocyanic acid be lodged be-
nection can be tightened with hind the nozzle, a decided cooling
reasonable safety if the operator effect will be noticed while the
wears a gas mask and is careful nozzle is being unscrewed. It is
15
best to use a gas mask in this
work.
Special pressure nozzles which do
not clog and need not be removed
are now on the market.
Dosage Rate
The dosage will depend on the
construction of the mill and the
degree of penetration desired. In
general, 8 ounces of liquid hydro-
cyanic acid for each 1,000 cubic
feet of space will give excellent re-
sults. Ordinarily the gas is evenly
distributed on all floors, but a larger
quantity should be used on floors
that contain more machinery than
others.
Experimental work has shown
that if the mill is of modern con-
crete or brick construction much of
the labor of preparing the mill for
fumigation may be avoided by in-
creasing the dosage to 16 ounces
per 1,000 cubic feet of space. Aside
from sealing up the building and
opening up the machinery accord-
ing to directions, no other prepara-
tions are necessary. The extra gas
introduced will ensure the penetra-
tion of stock in the various milling AHS Neg. U323-57(7)
units.
Figure 5.—Method of piping machinery in a
flour mill for fumigation with liquid hydro-
Machîneiy-Pîpîng System cyanic acid. Cleaning house.
16
1. Loosen sifter doors (except Wolf
sifters) slightly to allow circula-
tion of gas into all sifter sections.
2. Eemove accumulations of milling
stock behind feed gates or puri-
fiers and either tie or block open
the feed gates to allow passage of
gas into slide spouts that carry
stock into the purifiers. Seal
purifier ventilator doors with
kraft paper.
3. Adjust dividing gates, or tips,
below the cant boards in reels and
purifiers so that they are vertical
or so that half will open one way
and half the other way. This is
essential in order that there may
be equal distribution of gas into
all the conveyors. Eemove stock
accumulations in reel and puri-
fier-conveyor ends beyond reach
of the flights, as well as any
packed accumulations. Reel and
purifier-conveyor housing covers
should be kept closed.
4. Remove accumulations of stock
above the roll feed gate, clean
housings, block open the feeder
gates, and close all housing doors.
5. Raise hand levers of Buckley
AMS Neg. U32li-^7(7) grinders, thus compressing driv-
ing springs and separating
Figure 6.—Method of piping machinery in a grinding surfaces to permit pas-
flour mill for fumigation with liquid hydro-
cyanic acid. Mill house.
sage of gas through the mecha-
nism.
gas will escape from the machinery 6. Splitter valves on slide spouts
to care for any insects that are in should be placed on center to
the open space of the mill. In old eliminate possibility of dead-air
wooden mills the woodwork often spaces.
harbors large numbers of insects, 7. Before fumigation, apply air
not all of which are reached by the pressure to the piping system and
gas when it is applied by the ma- examine each spray nozzle to see
chinery-piping system. For this that it is working properly.
type of mill the open-space method Leaky connections should be
of fumigation would probably be tightened. The care expended in
more satisfactory. keeping the lines and nozzles
Additional Preparations clear of deposits will be a big
Before the mill is shut down the factor in the success of fumiga-
preparations noted previously tions by this method. Lines
should be followed; however, it is should be blown clear of the
not necessary to open up the ma- liquid fumigant after each fumi-
chinery. In addition: gation.
17
Applying the Gas created by the transfer of the hydro-
cyanic acid from the shipping cylin-
When the liquid hydrocyanic acid der to the applicator to escape into
is introduced into the various mill- the manifold, thus facilitating the
ing units the gas must be forced filling of the applicator.
into the fumigation lines with suffi-
cient pressure to ensure a uniform Dosage Rate
distribution. As the standard hy- Liquid hydrocyanic acid is forced
drocyanic acid cylinder has too into the various lines at the rate of
small an aperture to allow this, it is about 8 ounces for each spray noz-
necessary to employ a special appli- zle. Some fumigators prefer to use
cator consisting of a small steel tank a heavier dosage, but this is rarely
holding 35 pounds of the liquid and necessary.
capable of withstanding a working At the end of the fumigation the
pressure of 200 pounds. The gas- mill can be ventilated in the manner
outlet valve on the top-central part employed in other fumigations.
of the cylinder is connected with a Workmen wearing gas masks
i/^-inch copper tube extending to the should open all doors and windows
bottom of the tank. This tube is to allow air to circulate through the
larger than that used in the hydro- building. Eoof vents should be
cyanic acid cylinder and permits the opened as soon as possible to allow
gas to flow as rapidly as required. the gas to escape from the machin-
Gas-inlet valves (%-inch brass) and ery.
a pressure gage are also located on To avoid accident from small
the top-central part of the appli- quantities of fumigant left in the
cator. From the tank connection of system, compressed air should be
the gage a bypass of i^-inch copper forced through all fumigation lines
tubing, supplied with a valve, is long enough to ensure a complete
connected to the gas-outlet line be- removal of hydrocyanic acid. This
tween the gas-outlet valve and the should be done during the ventila-
manifold of the piping system. tion process and before workmen
This bypass allows the pressure are allowed to enter the building.
18
It has remarkable powers of pene- 150 pounds. The cylinder or cvl-
tration and is undoubtedly the most inders are then connected to the
efficient fumigant known for the manifold of the piping system on
treatment of warehouses filled with the outside of the building. After
bagged commodities. Lacking a the valve is opened, the pressure
distinctive odor, this gas is but forces the fumigant from the cyl-
faintly noticeable in small inder into the fumigation lines at
amounts, a feature that creates a the rate of about 10 pounds per min-
hazard not present with some of ute. In cool weather the pressure
the rapidly toxic gases that pos- in the cylinder must sometimes be
sess distinctive warning proper- built up with compressed air a sec-
ties. ond time to speed up the emptying
Methyl bromide can be applied of the cylinder and the application
through a piping system in much of the gas. A 3-way connection be-
the same manner as that described tween the cylinder, the manifold,
for liquid hydrocyanic acid or by and the air compressor will facili-
releasing the gas directly into the tate this operation. For large
open space from cylinders placed mills, where this method of apply-
at strategic points in the mill. ing the gas is best adapted, the
Each cylinder of methyl bromide is 175-pound cylinders will be most
equipped with a siphon tube so that convenient.
it can be emptied without inverting Small mills that do not have pip-
the cylinder. ing systems can be fumigated by
If the gas is to be introduced into distributing the requisite number of
a mill through a piping system, the cylinders uniformly over the several
pressure in the cylinders should be floors and releasing the gas by open-
increased with compressed air to ing the valves (fig. 7). The 50-
19
pound cylinders will be found most from floor to floor, opening the
useful for the purpose and will valves of the cylinders by hand and
enable the fumigator to distribute discharging any 1-pound cans re-
the gas uniformly over the building. quired. Two men wearing gas
One-pound cans can be used to sup- masks should work together and
plement the dosage and are particu- should release the gas as rapidly
lary useful for treating small rooms as possible so that they will not
that are cut off from the regular mill be exposed to a heavy concentra-
space. Each floor of the mill tion of the f umigant, which might
should be provided with large port- be hazardous even though they
able fans, which should be operated are protected by masks.
for at least 1 hour after the gas is A dosage of 1 pound per 1,000
introduced, to ensure a proper dis- cubic feet of space is adequate for
tribution of the gas. the fumigation of well-constructed
In applying the gas, the fumi- mills.
gator must be careful not to ex- An exposure period of from 16 to
pose himself to the concentrated 24 hours should be allowed, after
vapors, and for his protection he which the building may be opened
should be supplied with a gas up for aeration. The same precau-
mask equipped with a black canis- tion should be taken in ventilating
ter designed to protect against the building as when hydrocyanic
organic vapors. If the gas is ap- acid or other toxic gas has been
plied from the outside of the build- used.
ing it is not necessary to wear a gas Workmen entering the building
mask unless the manifold or cylin- to open the windows and doors
der connections are leaky, although
the mask should be kept handy for must wear gas masks equipped
use in case of emergency. Where with black canisters. Under ordi-
the cylinders are discharged di- nary conditions, a mill that has been
rectly into the open space of the fumigated with methyl bromide
mill, the fumigator, starting from will air out rapidly after it is
the top of the mill, should proceed opened up.
20
ture of methyl chloride and chloro- piping system is installed of %-inch
picrin. o. d. polyethylene tubing. Copper
When the valve is opened the jets for discharging the gas are
methyl chloride propels the chloro- spaced 20 to 30 feet apart. One jet
picrin from the applicator in a fine should be allowed for each 1,000
mist that vaporizes rapidly. A cubic feet of space, with not more
plastic or copper tube extension can than 3 jets to a line. The jets are
be fitted to the outlet valve so as to rigid copper tubing 18 inches in
release the fumigant in the upper length connected to the polyethyl-
part of each floor of the mill. Place ene tubing with a brass tee. The
the container in Üie approximate free end is pinched shut and is sup-
center of the space to be fumigated, plied with a i/ie-inch orifice drilled
and adjust it so that there are no through both walls 1 inch above the
obstacles (particularly belting) pinched end.
within 12-15 feet of it in directions Each floor of the mill or ware-
in which the fumigant will be dis- house should be provided with one
charged. Cap and plug the end of or more lines fastened to the ceiling
the extension tube leading from the and extending to the outside where
cylinder and bore a hole in each side they can be connected to a cylinder
of the tube so that the fumigant will containing a mixture of chloro-
be discharged horizontally in two picrin and methyl chloride pressur-
directions. In cold weather, store ized to 100 pounds. A dosage of
the containers in a warm room for from 114 to 1% pounds of the mix-
at least 12 hours before they are ture should be used per 1,000 cubic
used. This will increase the pres- feet of space depending upon the
sure in them suiRciently to insure a quantities of machinery in the mill.
satisfactory discharge of the chloro- If the chloropicrin is used with-
picrin. out a propellant, it can be sprinkled
If condensation on the floor is ex- on empty sacks spread on the floor
pected, spread empty burlap sacks or poured on a pile of empty sacks.
on the floor 10 feet on each side of A minimum of 1 pound of chloro-
the point of release. picrin should be used per 1,000 cubic
The fumigators, wearing gas feet of space. The required quan-
masks, should open the valves one tity of chloropicrin for each floor
full turn, and be careful to stand should be distributed in handy con-
so that they will not be sprayed tainers before the fumigation.
by the discharge. They should After an exposure of 24 hours,
work rapidly and leave the mill the mill should be thoroughly aer-
as soon as possible. ated before milling operations are
In some cases a semi-permanent resumed.
Local Fumigation
The treatment of an individual The proper use of local fumigants
machine in a mill with a fumigant will keep infestations at a point
is referred to as a local fumigation. where they will not be a serious fac-
After a general fumigation to elim- tor. This is particularly true in
inate ^ the insect population of a modern concrete mills where in-
mill, it is only a matter of time be- sects cannot find refuge in old wood-
fore some of the milling units be- work. Some mills rely on periodic
come reinfested from individual in- local fumigations instead of an oc-
sects surviving the fumigation, or casional general fumigation, but
through one or more of the avenues insects that are established in the
by which insects enter the mill. woodwork will not be affected by
21
local fumigants and will continu- dibromide, or methyl bromide are
ally reinfest the machinery. Local used extensively for this purpose.
fumigations can be conducted on Dosages of three commonly used
weekends or any night after the formulations are given below as a
mill is shut down. For best re- general guide. For the many other
sults they should be given every 2 formulations available, follow the
or 3 weeks. Chloropicrin and mix- directions on the manufacturer's
tures containing carbon tetrachlor- label, but be sure to use a material
ide, ethylene dichloride, ethylene approved for this use.
Ethylene Ethylene
dichlorid e-carbon dibromide
Milling Unit Chloropicrin tetraohloride 15 percent in a
(3 :1) chlorinated
solvent
These dosages are general, and unit through a small hole made for
individual mills and individual ma- this purpose.
chines may require more or less The points of application will
fumigant. vary in each mill and will have to
Prior to the application of local be determined by experience. In
fumigants, the mill should be run some mills application to the ele-
until empty. However, the milling vator system has been found suffi-
stock should not be removed until cient. The fumigant is applied at
after the fumigation. All vents three points—one in the head, and
from milling machinery to the out- one in each leg on the back side. In
side should be closed. Dead spouts most mills, sifters and some of the
and filled suction lines should be milling units will require individ-
cleaned. ual doses. By checking results in
The fumigants are applied by each milling unit after a fumiga-
workmen wearing full-face gas tion, one can soon discover which
masks equipped with proper can- unit will require individual doses.
isters. Starting from the top floor The fumigant should be applied
of the mill the liquid fumigants are to units on the lower floors first, the
poured, sprayed or dashed into the operators working up towards the
individual units. Care should be top floor. This is the reverse of the
taken to keep liquids off pobshed usual method of applying local fu-
metals such as rolls. migants. Since it is a machinery
When chloropicrin is used, run- fumigation the mill can be well ven-
ning the machinery for 2 or 3 min- tilated during actual application of
utes after application will aid in the fumigant. This mixture is
the distribution of the vapors. also available in small cans contain-
Some manufacturers of local fu- ing just enough of the liquid to fu-
migants provide automatic appli- migate one unit. The contents of
cators that will measure and inject a can are poured through a funnel
the desired dose into each milling into the milling units through the
22
same holes used in treating with the removed from fumigated units with
automatic applicator. This method a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner after
can be used when an applicator is fumigation so that dead insects will
not available. not add to the insect fragment count
The mill should be thoroughly in the finished flour. This opera-
aerated after fumigation and be- tion can be completed before the
fore milling operations are resumed. mill is restarted, or on the follow-
Kesidual milling stock should be ing weekend.
23
Tançeratùre
200"F,
190
A^^^"^—^-^--iïi^ff
180
170
f¿s
160
150
lll-O
i \V ■■""■♦-*••••.
110
100
Time In Minutes
80
10 11 12 13
AMS Neg. 1*325-57(7)
Figure 8.—A satîsfacfory temperoture range for cereals during the process of heating and
packing. (Chapman.)
Insect-Resistant Bags
Unless flour is properly packaged through the walls of substantial
and protected from insect invasion paper bags. They can and do, how-
in storage and transit, much of the ever, enter through needle holes
effort expended in the manufacture where the bags are sewed unless the
of a clean product may be wasted. holes are protected in some way.
Insects that attack flour are found All seams of paper bags should be
wherever foodstuffs are stored or cemented, and sewed tops should be
merchandised, and are frequently protected with strips of gummed
found infesting transportation fa- tape or other covering.
cilities. The use of an insect repellant
A mechanical barrier is the best impregnated in the outer wall of
protection against invasion by in- multiwalled paper bags offers ex-
sects. Fabric bags afford little pro- cellent protection against insect
tection from insect attack since the invasion for many months. A com-
insects can penetrate or lay their bination of pyrethrins with a Syn-
eggs through the mesh of the fabric ergist, piperonyl butoxide, has been
or through needle holes along the used successfully as a repellent, and
seams or end closures. Paper bags bags so treated are now available
have largely replaced fabric bags commercially. They are somewhat
and offer considerable protection to
flour from insect invasion if they more expensive than untreated bags.
are properly made and sealed. For specialty flours or pre-mixes
With the exception of the cadelle a tight-wrap carton offers the most
and the lesser grain borer, most satisfactory protection against in-
flour-infesting insects cannot cut sect infestation.
Infestation in Transit
Flour products leaving the mill to bakeries, other warehouses,^ or
or warehouse do not usually go di- grocery stores for distribution,
rectly to the consumer, but must be During this period of transit they
transported by truck or railway car are subject to invasion by insects.
26
Studies have shown that the rail- and when compressed tightly be-
way cars used to transport flour hind wooden linings fills the void to
have in many cases also been used the exclusion of any other material.
to carry gram during the rush of Many railroads have equipped test
the grain-harvesting season. The cars with fiber-glass pads in the end
ordinary car is so constructed that linings and have demonstrated the
waste grain, grain dust, or milled value of this treatment.
cereal products become lodged in It will probably be many years
cracks and crevices in the wood- before more than a token number
work and behind linings. Conse- of such cars are available for flour
quently, insect infestations difficult shipments. Until that time the
to eradicate by ordinary clean-up following procedures for treating
methods become established in cars railway boxcars to be used for flour
used to carry grain. As soon as shipments are recommended : Thor-
fresh flour is placed in infested cars, oughly sweep cars, and blow them
the insects are attracted to it. They out with a jet of compressed air.
crawl over the bags, thrust eggs Spray with a residual-type spray
through the mesh of fabric bags, at least 12 hours before papering
and enter them wherever they can. and loading.
The time of greatest danger from Sprays of DDT, TDE, methoxy-
infestation in transit is during the chlor, pyrethrum, or allethrin are
summer after the cars have been safe to use. The first 3 chemicals
used for carrying grain or feed. At should be used at a concentration
this time, also, large numbers of of 2.5 percent in the form of emul-
insects of many kinds, including sions or wettable powders, and the
species that infest grain and flour, last two at a concentration of 0.5
are in flight and enter the cars be- percent as emulsions. They should
fore or during loading operations. all be applied at the rate of about 1
Lights used in loading cars may gallon per 1,000 square feet of sur-
also attract many insects and, al- face area. A power sprayer is de-
though they may not be important sirable for speed in application and
pests of stored flour, their presence to obtain good coverage. The ab-
is annoying and often causes cars sence of odor from the spray used
to be rejected on arrival at destina- is essential. In general, water
tion. emulsion sprays are less likely to
One of the best ways to prevent leave odors than other forms.
the establishment of waste grain Sprayed cars should be lined with
and niilled products behind car lin- a heavy kraft paper to a height
ings is to install pads or blankets above the load. This lining will
of fiber glass behind end and side protect the flour from spray depos-
linings. This material is resilient. its on the floor or walls of the car.
Electromagnetic Energy
The use of radiant energy for the ant energy ; however, at present, the
treatment of grain and cereal prod- high cost of equipment, upkeep and
ucts has received considerable at- operation, together with limitations
tention during the past few years. in capacity, make it doubtful
Eadiant energy includes electrical whether radiant energy can compete
energy of various wave lengths, with other methods of insect con-
such as radio, infrared, gamma trol now in use. Continued research
rays, sound waves, and energy from may result in the development of a
electrons. practical method of using some
Many workers have demonstrated form of radiant energy for treating
that insects can be killed with radi- grain and cereal products.
28