THE RUDOLF REPORT

GERMAR RUDOLF · THE RUDOLF REPORTZyklon B introduction columns and a close to perfect success of thesubsequent ventilation, the moist and cool homicidal ‘gas chamber’walls would still have accumulated HCN corresponding to 13% of theaverage saturation of dry disinfestation walls, which is close to whatwould accumulate in those disinfestation walls (16%).As a result of the high moisture content of those undergroundmorgues, one can see that even with such short gassing times, the wallsof a homicidal ‘gas chamber’ accumulate a hydrogen cyanide contentwhich would be quite comparable to that of a disinfestation chamber.Much less hydrogen cyanide in the quasi-stationary condition of thehypothetical homicidal ‘gas chambers’ could only be expected, if onewere to assume absurdly short, but technically unfeasible gassingtimes, the application of very little Zyklon B, or only very few gassingsat all.7.3.2.4. Excursus: Capacity of Protective FiltersFilter devices to protect against hazardous and/or lethal gases andvapors are divided a) into types according to the kind of gas to be filteredand b) into classes according to their capacity. Filters of class 3with a large capacity are stored externally, usually in a container to becarried at one’s side, since they are too heavy to be carried on themask. They are connected to the mask with a hose. Filters of class 2are screwed into the mask and form the majority of all used filter types.Filters of class 1 are plug-in filters.The service life of gas filters depends on:• Type and concentration of the harmful compound;• Air demand of the carrier, as a function of the intensity of work485 Hauptverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften, Atemschutz-Merkblatt, CarlHeymanns Verlag, Cologne Oct. 1981.230performed and the personal constitution;Table 14: Maximally admissible concentration ofharmful compound for protection filters 485Gas filter class Maximally admissible concentration ofharmful compound1 0.1 Vol.%; 1,000 ml m –3 (ppm)2 0.5 Vol.%; 5,000 ml m –3 (ppm)3 1.0 Vol.%; 10,000 ml m –3 (ppm)Short-term excess up to twice of the table value is permissible