Health Hazard of Smoke Production in Thermal Decomposition of Polymer: A Review

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Aspalila Awang

Abstract

This paper reviews the smoke toxicity in the polymer combustion and the toxicity tests that has been widely used in the polymer industry, which focusing on the polyurethane products. The study has been done by reviewing 98 journal papers that reporting on the thermal decomposition of polymer products. When a polymer burnt, the aliphatic fuels are cracked to smaller alkyl radicals which forming polyenes or polybenzenoids that may be radical, ionic or neutral. These intermediates will react with other unsaturated species and condensed to form soot or char residues. The combustion gases contain varieties of toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride, sulphur oxides and many other toxic organics. It also produces oxidative pyrolysis products, such as oregano-aldehydes, and particulates. The presence of fluorine, chlorine and bromine would be expected to generate hydrogen halides and halogenated organics. Hydrogen cyanide and other organic cyanides are released during thermal decomposition of polyurethane foams used in the manufacture of furniture, and contribute to mortality in smoke inhalation. Prolonged or excessive exposure will lead to cyanide toxicity and metabolic acidosis. Based on this review, it is obvious that the burning of polyurethane will bring destructive effect to the environment especially to human. All the findings in the study show that there are so many toxic products produced during the pyrolysis of polymer. Each and every product of the pyrolysis has certain effect on the human body. This review has also proven that the burning of the polymer, whether in the process of production or in its pyrolysis, can give out an unhealthy environment to the human body. This result should be taken in consideration by the employer during the planning for a safe environment to the workers in the process of producing polymer products. Some safety measures should be taken, so that the workers will not expose to these toxic products. This problem should also be well taken care by the fire brigade to ensure that the best method of avoiding smoke poisoning among firefighters and fire victims during a fire.

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How to Cite
, A. A. (2015). Health Hazard of Smoke Production in Thermal Decomposition of Polymer: A Review. International Journal on Future Revolution in Computer Science &Amp; Communication Engineering, 1(3), 01–06. Retrieved from http://www.ijfrcsce.org/index.php/ijfrcsce/article/view/8
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