What type of chemicals are released during a fire?
Fires release a range of hazardous chemicals, including:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) – a toxic gas that can cause suffocation.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – carcinogenic compounds found in soot.
- Dioxins and furans – highly toxic chemicals produced from burning plastics.
- Heavy metals – such as lead, mercury, and arsenic from burned materials.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which can cause respiratory and neurological effects.