Is toxic smoke a danger from all burning organic materials?
• All organic materials such as plastic foam insulation, evolve toxic decomposition products when burning. Of the toxic smoke products, carbon monoxide [CO] is recognised as the main toxicant in fires. Hydrogen cyanide [HCN], elevated level of carbon dioxide [CO] and reduced oxygen are also important in their contribution to the asphyxiating characteristics of smoke gases. There are other components in smoke gases that cause sensory irritation to eyes and the upper respiratory tract. These compounds include acid gases produced from the combustion of halogen containing materials [where hydrogen chloride, HCl, is the most common].
