Table 2: Compounds generated during the incineration of polyvinylchloride and their harmful effects.
Compound | Health effect(s) |
Acetaldehyde | It damages the nervous system, causing lesions. |
Acetone | Irritates the eyes, the respiratory tract. |
Benzaldehyde | Irritates the eyes, skin, respiratory system, limits brain function. |
Benzole | Carcinogenic, adversely effects the bone marrow, the liver, the immune system. |
Formaldehyde | Serious eye damage, carcinogenic, may cause pulmonary oedeŽma. |
Phosgene | Gas used in the WWI. Corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory organs. |
Polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxin | Carcinogenic, irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory system. It damages the circulatory, digestive and nervous system, liver, bone marrow. |
Polychlorinated dibenzofuran | Irritates the eyes and the respiratory system, causes asthma. |
Hydrochloric acid | Corrosive to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. |
Salicyl-aldehyde | Irritates the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. It can also affect the central nervous system. |
Toluene | Irritates the eyes and the respiratory tract, can cause depression. |
Xylene | Irritates the eyes. It can also affect the central nervous system, reduces the level of consciousness and impairs learning ability. |
Propylene | Damages the central nervous system by lowering of consciousŽness. |
Vinyl chloride | Carcinogenic, irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory system. Effect on the central nervous system, liver, spleen, blood-forming organs. |
Source: Nagy and Kuti [36].