§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent research has been undertaken into the toxicity of polyurethane foam materials involved in fires; what views on the subject have been expressed by fire service chiefs; and in how many instances coroners' verdicts following fatalities caused by fire state or imply that inhalation of toxic fumes from such materials was the cause of death.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe Department's Fire Research Station has an extensive and continuing programme of work on the behaviour of plastics materials, including polyurethane foams, in fires. This includes detailed laboratory examination of products of combustion at various temperatures and oxygen supply conditions; investigation of toxic materials produced in real fire situations by the burning of furniture and fittings; and assessment of toxicity of the products of combustion. Because of its concern with these matters the Fire Service is kept fully informed of the research programme.
I regret that information on the last point is not available, as it is not normally possible to identify which of the burning substances originated the fumes causing death.