Hazards Resulting from the Burning Wood Impregnated with Selected Chemical Compounds

Abstract

In the construction industry, a variety wooden products have been used for thousands of years, according to demand, accessibility/availability, and customers’ requirements. Wood is a preferred material due to its large range of properties, depending on the type of wood. It is an easily available and economically competitive material, and it is also extremely strong in relation to its weight. Therefore, it is used in the production of construction materials, building parts, and finishing components, as well as for furniture and decorative elements. Each of these products is commonly additionally chemically treated in order to improve its performance parameters. However, impregnated wooden products such as furniture and fence boards are often misused, including for house heating, waste incineration, bonfires, etc. For this reason, among the products of combustion, there is a whole range of different chemical compounds, frequently carcinogenic, and dangerous for health and the environment, for example, heavy metals. Knowledge in this field is important for professions, such as: firefighter, lifeguard, people dealing with environmental management, and units responsible for waste landfills. On the other hand, important recipients of this information are ordinary residents who, due to a lack of knowledge, use such materials as e.g., heating material.

Sustainable Secondary-Raw Materials, Natural Substances and Eco-Friendly Nanomaterial-Based Approaches for Improved Surface Performances: An Overview of What They Are and How They Work

“…Buildings, automobiles, textiles, industrial machinery and other infrastructure are constantly preserved to have longer life and durability due to the application of top-coatings, primers, sealants, varnishes and paints. Many of these actual surface protection treatments and coatings may still be environmentally hazardous [ 54 , 55 , 56 ]. Therefore, the main approach remains the development of unique, high-performing, ecologically friendly and functional coatings starting from bio-based formulations, waste, natural materials and compounds, as well as more sustainable processes.…”

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils in Industrial Areas: Concentration and Risks to Human Health

“…A big problem, especially during the winter months, are individual fireplaces or heating systems in households where citizens burn wood and coal of poor quality and even railway sleepers that have been treated with burnt oil due to the poor socio-economic situation. Depending on the type of wood, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) can also be released [52,53]. There is a well-developed traffic infrastructure inside and around this industrial complex.…”

Problems of operation of positive pressure ventilators on the basis of surveys of Polish officers of the State Fire Service

“…The activities of the officers of fire protection units are often associated with exposure to various hazards 1 – 3 . Such risks include exposure to high temperatures 4 – 6 , smoke emissions (toxic decomposition products) 7 – 9 and exposure to strong chemicals 10 – 12 . In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to aspects of work ergonomics 13 , 14 and the physical 15 and mental health of firefighters 16 .…”