Toxic chlorinated and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in simulated house fires

Toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons (polychlorinated biphenyls, benzenes and dio xins and furans) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons were examined in combustion gas and deposited soot wipe samples from simulated house fires. Concentrati ons of these substances were high during the fires, the amounts of polychlo rinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/ Fs) in the combustion gas varying from 1. 0 to >7.2 ng/m(3) (I-TEQ) and those of polyaromatic hydrocarbons from 6.4 t o 470 mg/m(3). Thus large amounts of organic compounds may be released in h ouse fires. As a result, there is a need for careful personal protection of fire-fighters and remediation workers against combustion gases during a fi re and on contaminated surfaces after it. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.