An industrial approach to evaluation of pyrolysis and combustion hazards.
In addition to the usual toxicology studies necessary for the safe manufacture and use of polymers at room temperature, special studies are needed for polymers which will be used at elevated temperatures. This paper discusses various areas to be investigated and principles for deciding on test materials, tests, and test conditions, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fluorinated polyethylene-propylene (PFEP) pyrolysis studies being used as an illustrative case history. Some limitations of animal testing also are mentioned. A toxicological spectrum relating toxicological determinants to PTFE temperature is developed.
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils / Q000592:standards; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005390:Fires; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D010969:Plastics / Q000633:toxicity*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced
D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers; D010969:Plastics; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene