Does PVC give off toxic fumes in case of fire?
PVC is self-extinguishing and lowly flammable. There are no risks either for human beings or for the environment even in the case of fires that involve large quantities of PVC. As alleged by Prof. Christopher Rappe, the world-famous expert and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Umea in Sweden, the reaction of PVC to fire can be compared to that of common salt under similar conditions. The development of toxic gases is modest and less than alternative materials such as wood, rubber and others. Besides, in the case of PVC flooring, since its thickness does not exceed the range of several millimeters, the development of toxic gases is so low that it does not constitute a real danger for human health.
