- Author
- Hartzell, G. E. | Grand, A. F. | Switzer, W. G.
- Title
- Toxicity of Smoke Containing Hydrogen Chloride.
- Coporate
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX
- Sponsor
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD Federal Aviation Admin., Washington, DC
- Report
- Chapter 2; ACS Symposium Series 425
- Contract
- NIST-GRANT-NB83NADA4015 NIST-GRANT-60NANB6D0635
- Book or Conf
- American Chemical Society. Fire and Polymers--Hazards Identification and Prevention. National Meeting, 197th. ACS Symposium Series 425. April 9-14, 1989, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, Dallas, TX, Nelson, G. L., Editors, 12-20 p.,
- Keywords
- hydrogen chloride | toxicity | smoke | human beings | polyvinyl chloride | animals | rats | lethal concentrations
- Identifiers
- toxicological effects of fire effluents; smoke toxicity studies; guinea pigs
- Abstract
- Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a relatively common fire gas toxicant about which there has been much speculation and controversy. It is formed from the combustion of chlorine-containing materials, the most notable of which is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Hydrogen chloride is both a potent sensory irritant and also a pulmonary irritant. It is a strong acid, being corrosive to sensitive tissue such as the eyes. Assessment of the toxicity of HCl in humans is made particulary difficult due to the lack of a suitable animal model for its variety of toxicological responses. In spite of these difficulties, a clearer picture of the role of HCl in the toxicity of smoke is gradually being developed.