Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Gareth B.
status       educator
age          20s

Question -   What are the hazardous products of burning Polyethylene
Teraphthalate or PET; high density polyethylene, HPPE; low density
polyethylene, LDPE; polyproplene, PP?
Also what exactly are Dioxins?
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Question 2: Dioxins are a class of related chlorinated condensed aromatic
cyclic ethers. You can find out a lot, including chemical structure on the
web site: http://www.cqs.com/dioxheal.htm
     Question 1: All of the polymers you list are hydrocarbons so other than
the usual hazards of the combustion of hydrocarbons -- CO2, CO, carbon
particles -- there are no unusual hazards.
Additional hazards might be present from components used in the manufacture
of plastic parts however. I am thinking of pigments, and other additives.

Vince Calder
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