Literature Review of the Chemical Nature and Toxicity of the Decomposition Products of Polyethylenes.
Literature Review of the Chemical Nature and Toxicity of
the Decomposition Products of Polyethylenes.
(1735 K)
Paabo, M.; Levin, B. C.
NBSIR 85-3268; 68 p. January 1986.
Fire and Materials, Vol. 11, No. 2, 55-70, June 1987.
Sponsor:
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB86-163409
Keywords:
combustion products; literature reviews; polyethylenes;
thermal decomposition; toxicity
Abstract:
The literature on polyethylenes has been reviewed with
an emphasis on the identification of gaseous products
generated under various thermal decomposition conditions
and the toxicity of those products. This review is
limited to publications in English through 1984. The
analytical chemical studies of the thermal decomposition
products generated under vacuum, inert and oxidative
experimental conditions are described. In oxidative
atmospheres, which most closely simulate real fire
conditions, carbon monoxide (CO) was found to be the
predominant toxicant. Acrolein was another toxicant
often noted in these reviewed studies. More acrolein was
generated under non-flaming than under flaming
conditions.
