Fires are burning in Los Angeles, destroying entire neighbourhoods, and these fires are exposing a new danger – the impact of synthetic materials in modern homes. Plastic, which is the basis of most furniture and decoration, causes the rapid spread of fire and toxic smoke, experts warn, The Atlantic reports.
According to firefighters, experts and environmentalists, these fires produce hazardous chemical emissions, including acids, smoke particles and carcinogenic substances. “In the average modern home, almost everything from furniture to flooring is made of plastic or synthetic materials,” said Fire Chief David Acuna.
The experiment proved that homes filled with synthetics turn into flames in minutes. Thus, in a room with natural materials, the fire took more than half an hour to spread, while the synthetic interior caught fire and exploded in 5 minutes.
Fire not only consumes residential areas, but also pollutes the air, making it dangerous to live in. The emissions generated by burning plastic can cause respiratory and heart diseases, as well as long-term cognitive impairment.
Experts are calling for changes in construction standards, increased fire resistance of materials, and public awareness of the threats posed by modern technology.
Today, the problem of housing security is not only a matter of comfort, but also of survival.
