[Toxicological evaluation of health risk of local fire in a closed environment]

Local fire in an enclosed environment was simulated, and the composition and toxicity of compounds outgassed by the polymers were investigated. Highly toxic compounds, e.g. prussic acid, carbon monoxide, benzene, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, were identified. The toxic hazard of the products depended on the mass and chemical composition of the burnt materials, time of exposure and enclosure volume. In the case of a local fire the enclosed atmosphere should be monitored by rapid diagnostic methods using indicator tubes.