[Evaluation of a chemical factor during fires]

The working conditions of firemen during active service cannot be assessed without characterizing the degree of ambient gas contamination with toxic substances. Firemen extinguish fires and liquidate accidents under difficult conditions, which presents a threat to their life and health. Fire-induced combustion products can emit as high as 100 types of chemical compounds. Of them, the most common and well-studied compounds are carbon oxide, sulfur dioxide and nitric dioxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, saturated hydrocarbons (C2-C10), acetone, benzene, toluene, and some chlorohydrocarbons (vinyl chloride, chloroform, and tetrachloromethane). These compounds are hazard classes II and III, they have been detected in the air samples in the foci of a fire in the amenity and industrial premises, during combustion of motor transport, garbage, etc. Toxicological exposure to these compounds is accelerated under elevated temperatures.