Description
Carbon monoxide is the most important toxic gas released from the combustion of synthetic polymers. Significant exposure to monomers is unlikely after thermal degradation of polymers. [Occup Med 1993 Jul-Sep;8(3):533-47] Burning polymers may also release: 1.) acrylonitrile (polyurethanes, polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and styrene-acryloinitrile polymers); 2.) aldehydes (polyethylene), 3.) ammonia (nylon and urea-formaldehyde resins); 4.) benzene (polyvinyl chloride and polyester); 5.) HCl (polyvinyl chloride and chloroprene rubber); 6.) HCN (nylon, polyacrylonitrile, and urea-formaldehyde resins); 7.) isocyanates (polyurethane products); 8.) methyl methacrylate (polymethyl methacrylate); NO2 (nylon); 9.) phenol (polycarbonates and epoxy resins); 10.) phosgene (polyvinyl chloride); and 11.) styrene (polystyrene, ABS and stryene-acrylonitrile. [Rom, p. 478; ILO Encyclo: Plastics Industry]