| Abstract: | The toxic gases released by combustion/pyrolysis of wool include CO, HCN and four compounds containing sulphur. Animal test data suggest that the toxicity of the sulphur compounds is significant. Wool was pyrolysed and the gases were analysed by GC-MS. SO2 was the main sulphur-containing gas produced by flaming combustion in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. In pyrolysis under various conditions COS was a major sulphur-containing product. Although it is a highly toxic gas, COS has not so far been reported by workers engaged in the toxicity of fire gases. It is suggested that analysis of COS be included in the analytical toxicology of sulphur-containing polymers. |
