- Author
-
Wagner, J. P.
- Title
- Survey of Toxic Species Evolved in the Pyrolysis and Combustion of Polymers. Topical Report. Fire Problems Program.
- Coporate
- Johns Hopkins Univ., Silver Spring, MD
- Sponsor
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC
- Report
-
APL/JHU FPP TR11
January 1972
40 p.
- Contract
- NSF-RANN-PROGRAM/GI-12
- Keywords
-
pyrolysis
|
combustion
|
combustion products
|
additives
|
toxicology
|
char
- Identifiers
- toxic species evolution; general toxicological considerations
- Abstract
- The products of pyrolysis and combustion of polymers often leads to an environment that is uninhabitable or even lethal after short exposures. Polymer type and weight, physical configuration (sheet, foams, powders, blocks, etc.), temperature, heating rate, oxygen content, enclosure size, and other parameters determine the type and concentration of the toxic emission. The physical, chemical and psychological state of the individual determine the toxicological response. Synergistic effects, further complicate the overall toxicological problem. In this paper a detailed, general review of the toxic species evolved over a wide range of conditions is given, along with an outline of the physiological responses to the common fire gases and liquids. Published reviews appear to be few (reerences 1, 2, 3); for the most part their objectives were very specific. We first consider the development of a real fire in an enclosure, outlining the steps leading to a toxic atmosphere. The degradation products of a number of important plastics are then examined. An attempt has been made to draw attention to the need for further study of the nature of polymeric additives and a class of high-temperature plastics. Finally a number of conclusions and recommendations for future study are outlined.