Abstract
The Grenfell Tower fire in central London, started within a flat, engulfed the whole 24 storey building in flames, killed 72 people and spread toxic effluent via the plume and particulate deposits.Soil samples from 6 locations up to 1,2 km from the Tower, together with semi-burnt fire debris and char samples, were collected 1 and 6 months after the fire. Additionally, dust samples and condensates were collected from a flat 160 m away from the Tower after 17 months. Samples were analysed for common potentially toxic components of fire effluents and synthetic vitreous fibres.Samples collected within 140 m of the Tower showed, amongst other toxicants, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin concentrations 60 times greater than UK urban reference soil levels; benzene levels were 40 times greater; levels of 6 key polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were approximately 160 times greater. PAHs levels are approximately 20 times greater than those reported from nearby Hyde Park before the fire. To explain the presence of these pyrogenic contaminants char and partially burnt debris were also collected and analysed. Benzene, PAHs, isocyanates and phosphorus flame retardants were found. Hydrogen cyanide and synthetic vitreous fibres were present in both soil and debris.Particulate and pyrogenic contamination in the immediate vicinity is clearly evident, and may have leached out of fire debris, char and dust. Further analysis of the area around the Tower is necessary to understand potential health risks.
Highlights
1.1 Harmful Effects of Fire EffluentsUK National Fire Statistics (2018) show that the acute toxicity of fire effluents is the biggest short-term cause of death and injury from unwanted fires
Fires release a rich cocktail of pollutants, many of them acutely or chronically toxic, including carcinogens such as semi and volatile organic compounds (SVOC/VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respiratory sensitizers such as isocyanates from some nitrogen-containing fuels, and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds such as polychloro- and polybromo dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), formed by burning halogen containing fuels (McGee et al 2003; Landrigan et al 2004)
194 Soil guideline values provide a reliable baseline against which intensive local surveys and future national surveys can be assessed (EA 2009b)
Summary
UK National Fire Statistics (2018) show that the acute toxicity of fire effluents is the biggest short-term cause of death and injury from unwanted fires. Large fires produce smoke containing high concentrations of particulates and toxic gases such as, the asphyxiant gases, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and respiratory tract deep lung irritants. Molecular toxicants bind to smoke particles (airborne soot and tarry droplets) allowing them to penetrate deep into the lung causing respiratory distress and pulmonary oedema (flooding of the lungs). This is closely followed by incapacitation and death, from few hours to several days or even years after exposure (Stec and Hull 2010; Stec 2017). Fires release a rich cocktail of pollutants, many of them acutely or chronically toxic, including carcinogens such as semi and volatile organic compounds (SVOC/VOCs), PAHs, respiratory sensitizers such as isocyanates from some nitrogen-containing fuels, and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds such as polychloro- and polybromo dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), formed by burning halogen containing fuels (McGee et al 2003; Landrigan et al 2004)
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