An alternative method for in vitro fire smoke toxicity assessment of polymers and composites using human lung cells

Abstract

SUMMARYAn alternative method for in vitro fire smoke toxicity assessment of polymers and composites using human lung cells has been investigated. A range of building and train interiors including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methachrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP), and melamine-faced plywood (MFP) were studied. The exposure of combustion toxicants to human lung cells (A549) at the air/liquid interface was acquired using a Harvard Navicyte Chamber. Cytotoxic effects on human cells were assessed based on cell viability using the MTS assay (Promega). Cytotoxicity results were expressed as no observable adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), 10% inhibitory concentration (IC 10 ), 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ), and total lethal concentration (TLC) values (mg/l). Mass loss data and toxic product yield were also determined. Results suggested that PVC (IC 50 1.99 mg/l) was the most toxic materials followed by PP, FRP-16, PC, PMMA, FRP-10, PE, and melamine plywood. Some materials revealed to be more toxic under flaming combustion (PP, PC,, while others (PVC, PMMA, PE, and melamine plywood) appeared more toxic under non-flaming combustion. The method developed can be used to screen the toxicity of materials which would be important information in building and mass transport material selection.

Advances in Flame Retardant of Different Types of Nanocomposites

“…Thus, polymer melting and degradation, heat transfer in both solid and liquid phases and diffusion of the breakdown products through the degrading polymer into the gas phase accompany the various combustion reactions which occur. Polymers with aliphatic backbones, or those that is largely aliphatic and oxygenated, have a tendency toward low smoke generation, while polyenic polymers and those with pendant aromatic groups generally produce more smoke [36]. The relative distribution of pyrolysis products from an individual polymer is dependent on the pyrolysis temperature, the heating rate and the pyrolysis atmosphere.…”

Highly Sensitive Sensors Based on Metal-Oxide Nanocolumns for Fire Detection

“…Polyvinyl chlorides (PVC) is the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer and it is used in a variety of household products such as packaging, electrical insulation, and interior furnishings [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Despite its usefulness, the rapid decomposition with the emission of toxic gases makes PVC the most dangerous material in a fire environment [ 9 ].…”