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Chemicals/poisonous fumes

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Question
Our neighbors have been making copper pipe pieces with garden hose inside them to burn on their campfires.  The burning creates pretty colors in the fire, but smells offensive.  Does this produce any toxins I should be aware of?  There are kids around and I am worried.  Thanks!

Answer
Burning any type of plastic or rubber in a fire can create smoke that contains toxic chemicals.  What you describe is not a good idea.  Ask your neighbor to take some cut up garden hose, put it in a cigar wrapper and smoke it.  I doubt they will (and don't let them).  Burning tobacco and wood is bad enough.  Plastic burning is a much dirtier process.

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Henry Boyter

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Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

Experience

Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

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