Cyanide Production in a Fire

Hydrogen cyanide is produced by the incomplete combustion of natural fibers (such as wool and silk) and synthetic polymers (such as polyurethane and nylon) widely used in insulation, cushioning, carpets and other building materials and home furnishings. Each year, an estimated 20,800 residential structure fires are attributed to mattresses, pillows, and bedding materials, all of which are highly likely to contain synthetic materials that release hydrogen cyanide when they smolder. Many of these synthetic materials ignite and burn two to three times hotter and faster than conventional materials, causing more fires to reach flashover quicker. Flashover is a high-temperature, low-oxygen condition, which promotes degradation of synthetics that release hydrogen cyanide and other toxic gases.

The Swedish National Testing and Research Institute (SNTRI) has conducted experiments which show high quantities of cyanide were emitted from products including wool, nylon, synthetic rubber, melamine and polyurethane foam under both non-flaming (pyrolyzing) and flaming (fire) conditions.

A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the well-documented fire, which broke out just after 11:00pm in February 2003 at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, shows cyanide more than likely played a role in the 100 deaths attributed to this fire. The NIST investigation included experiments simulating the fire in a test room with the same dimensions and containing similar materials as those in the nightclub the night of the fire. The experiments showed that within seconds of ignition of the fire, concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide soared and oxygen levels plummeted.

Read about the 2003 Rhode Island Nightclub Fire

	Fire and Burn-Related Death Rates per 100,000 Persons by County