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Is Inhaling Plastic Fumes Harmful?

Posted on Fri, 27 Nov 2015

Question: I didn't realize how bad burning plastics was. I just burned a fireplace full of pharmaceutical blister packs (maybe 40 empty packs). Most of the smoke went up the chimney but I did breather some in when the fireplace door was open (maybe for a minute or so I was looking in at the burning) how bad is this likely to be? Are the surfaces clothes etc in the room contaminated?

We have a swimming pool which is down wind of the chimney, would the dioxins have settled in the water and be harmful? Have I put my community at risk?

Would more than one exposure such as this be required for cancerous effects?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no significant contamination or cancer risk from this event

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. There is no immediate health risk to you or your community because the pollution by burning 40 blister packs is insufficient to contaminate your environment significantly.

2. Please dispose such objects in the garbage and they will incinerate it such that it will cause minimal harm to the environment.

3. Cancer risk is nil from this exposure because this is a single incident and most of the fumes have been ejected through the chimney. There is no significant residual contamination of clothes and the room. However you can open the windows and doors of your house for few hours to allow ventilation.

I hope you are comfortable and do not have any suffocation. If you have difficulty in breathing then please go out and breathe fresh air and consult a doctor.

Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (15 minutes later)

Thanks for your answer.

Just to clarify - what are your thoughts regarding the swimming pool water?

Also, there were several plastic wrappers from women's tampons and sanitary pads also in the fire - would this add any risk?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The fumes get diluted in the air quickly and swimming pool is safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The swimming pool water is safe as before. The impurities in smoke have been ejected out in the air and this will not mix with the water in the swimming pool in any harmful way. The fumes get diluted quickly in the air. There is no risk from several plastic wrappers which were in the fire. Please avoid burning plastics next time.

Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (23 minutes later)

Thanks.

Lastly, I have read that hormonal problems and problems with fertility and children's development can occur from exposure to plastic fumes.

I am not currently pregnant, but am wondering if the exposure could impact a) the likelihood of becoming pregnant in future and b) whether the exposure to the plastic fumes would have any negative effect on a future foetus?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You are safe as it is fumes from a single domestic incident

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. Hormonal problems and infertility due to exposure to fumes occurs only when women are exposed to dangerous fumes daily in their surroundings like those people living in industrial areas where the air quality is polluted. A single exposure to plastic fumes is not a problem and you are safe when you have a pregnancy.

Hope your query is answered.
Please write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad