What This Type of Fire Can Do To Your Health

An excerpt from the link at right regarding what these fires do to your health states:

"Smoke from these kinds of blazes can cause the rubber in the tires and other products to leach sulfur dioxide into the air, ground and water.

Also believed present in all that thick black smoke - chemicals like xylenes, aldehydes, toluene and styrene.

Depending on the size and duration of the blaze, small particles with a carbon core are also sent wafting into the air and can easily be breathed deep into your lungs.

Below is information on a few of the chemicals mentioned above that are common in these fires

What are the main health hazards associated with breathing in xylene?
The main effect of inhaling xylene vapour is depression of the central nervous system (CNS), with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Volunteers have tolerated 100 ppm, but higher concentrations become objectionable. Irritation of the nose and throat can occur at approximately 200 ppm after 3 to 5 minutes. Exposures estimated at 700 ppm have caused nausea and vomiting. Extremely high concentrations (approximately 10000 ppm) could cause incoordination, loss of consciousness, respiratory failure and death. In some cases, a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) may result. Symptoms of pulmonary edema, such as shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, may be delayed several hours after exposure. However, these effects are rarely seen since xylene is irritating and identifiable by odour at much lower concentrations. The only reported death resulted from exposure to xylenes (unspecified isomer composition and unknown concentration) in a confined space. Reversible liver and kidney damage has been reported in cases of severe xylene exposure. Results of short-term studies on human volunteers indicate that xylenes can cause neurobehavioural effects such as impaired short-term memory and reaction time (300 ppm xylene, with exercise) and alterations in body balance (65 to 400 ppm m-xylene). Exposure to 300 or 400 ppm xylene or 65 to 150 ppm p-xylene have not had similar effects. This variation in results is probably due to differences in the effects being studied, exposure conditions, development of tolerance and total xylene uptake (which increases during exercise).

Toluene

A clear, colourless liquid with a benzene-like odour. It is a FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOUR. The liquid can accumulate static charge by flow or agitation. The vapour is heavier than air and may spread long distances and distant ignition and flashback are possible. Liquid can float on water and may travel to distant locations and/or spread fire. Toluene can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases. Closed containers may rupture and explode in heat of fire. Toluene is harmful if inhaled or swallowed and is a central nervous system depressant. The vapour may cause headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and incoordination. Toluene causes skin and eye irritation. It is an aspiration hazard and swallowing or vomiting of the liquid may result in aspiration into the lungs.

Where do you find toluene?
Toluene is used to make chemicals (e.g., benzene, toluene diisocyanate, benzoic acid), explosives, dyes and many other compounds. Used as a solvent for inks, paints, lacquers, resins, cleaners, glues and adhesives. Found in gasoline and aviation fuel.

Styrene
Styrene is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Styrene is primarily a synthetic chemical that is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs, and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene. It is also known as vinylbenzene, ethenylbenzene, cinnamene, or phenylethylene. The following questions link to resources that provide safety and health information relevant to styrene.
Acute health effects of styrene are generally irritation of the skin, eyes, and the upper respiratory tract. Acute exposure also results in gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, weakness, and can cause minor effects on kidney function.