Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Report No. HETA-88-117-0000, Technical Assistance to the International Association of Fire Fighters, Washington, DC

摘要

In response to a request from the International Association of Fire Fighters, an evaluation was made of the Rosco aerosol smoke generation system which is used during fire training exercises to be certain it meets with requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standards. The substance was composed of a mixture of polyfunctional alcohols which, as a group, were considered of low toxicity. The smoke generation system involved injection of the smoke fluid into a heat exchanger and atomizing it at high temperature without combustion. Two bulk samples were taken for analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Four different sampling methods were used to collect area air samples of the smoke generated during operation in a ventilated enclosure. Three major compounds were identified and labeled as A, B, and C for proprietary reasons. The three compounds had median lethal dose levels in the practically nontoxic category. The author concludes that these compounds have extremely low toxicities and posed little, if any, health risk by the typical exposure routes of inhalation, skin absorption, and ingestion. However, the high density of smoke needed in smoke training exercises makes it impossible or at least very difficult to accurately define a finite, nonhazardous atmosphere applicable to all individuals.