title: The oxygen and nitrous oxide indices of flammability of endotracheal tubes determined by laser ignition.
abstract: This study determines the flammability of polyvinylchloride (PVC), red rubber (RR), and silicone (Si) endotracheal tubes in oxygen- and nitrous-oxide-enriched atmospheres. Flammability is measured by using the oxygen and nitrous oxide indices of flammability with laser ignition. The laser-ignited oxygen (O2) index of flammability of the endotracheal tubes is: PVC, 0.25; RR, 0.19; Si, 0.20. The laser-ignited nitrous oxide (N2O) index of flammability of the endotracheal tubes is: PVC, 0.45; RR, 0.37; and Si, 0.41. These results are similar to the previously reported O2 and N2O indices of flammability with propane-torch ignition. This study validates the concept that the indices of flammability are useful measures of endotracheal tube flammability and are independent of the ignition source.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Krespi
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Schiff
mesh_terms: D005390:Fires; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007834:Lasers; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012408:Rubber; D012828:Silicones
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012408:Rubber; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen