ANALYZING TOXIC EFFLUENTS GENERATED FROM THE COMBUSTION OF FIRE-RESISTANT COTTON TEXTILE

Abstract

This paper reports on the analysis of toxic effluents generated from the combustion of fire-resistant cotton
textile in normal atmosphere, which would reflect on the potential content of toxic fumes released from the
combustion of fire-resistant cotton textile during fire accidents. In particular, this study utilized the modern
method of gas chromatography coupled mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) to analyze volatile chemicals
generated from the combustion of two types of cotton textile - which are untreated commercial cotton textile
and cotton textile treated with commercial Pyrovatex CP fire retardant. Experimental results showed that,
the combustion of both commercial cotton textile acquired in Vietnam and cotton textile treated with
commercial Pyrovatex CP fire retardant released a number of various toxic volatile aromatic compounds,
including both simple derivatives of benzene and other more complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), which could pose significant risk to the health of human and the ability of people to safely evacuate
from fire accidents. Interestingly, the use of Pyrovatex CP fire retardant showed to promote the release of
more-toxic aromatic effluents, while also suppressed the release of less-toxic aliphatic compounds. Such
results should be considered during assessment of fire-resistant materials, so that to ensure the health and
safety of people during fire accidents.