Volume 29, Issue 159, May 2025

The Toxic Face of Fire - Chemical Poisonings in Fire Conditions and its Treatment

Szymon Graczyk^1♦, Kamil Górecki², Ksawery Adamiec¹, Aleksandra Kępczyńska², Natalia Księżarek¹, Przemysław Prokop¹

¹Students’ MedTech Association of Medical University of Silesia. Katowice, Poland
²Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Szymon Graczyk, Leśna 4a/24, 41-100 Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland

ABSTRACT

Fire damage is not the only cause of death in fires. Combustion releases many toxins, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and other chemicals discussed in this article. Symptoms of exposure are often nonspecific, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Prompt intervention is essential, and oxygen therapy - especially hyperbaric oxygen therapy in severe cases - is the most effective treatment. Modern building materials, such as polyurethanes and mineral fibers, further complicate fire toxicity by releasing additional harmful substances during combustion. Fire hazards require increased public awareness. Appropriate response and treatment can reduce the mortality rate of people poisoned in fires.

Keywords: carbon monoxide, poisoning, toxic substances, burns

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e65ms3559

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i158.e65ms3559

Published: 16 May 2025