Posted By Peter MacDonald
Just been told from a highly unreliable source that there is a potential for cyanide exposure when handling burnt tyres or burnt tyre residue. I have a big clean up operation beginning soon with partially burnt tyres to be removed and disposed. Cyanide exposure was not part of my risk asessment.

Can anyone help

Posted By Brian John Abbs
Due to the material being burnt, Isn't th epresence of hydroflouric acid a more pressing hazard?

Posted By Heather Aston
No there are no fluorine-containing polymers in tyres - they are far too expensive for such a use. They tend to be used for special high-temperature applications like O-ring seals and photocopier rollers.

To get back to the original question, the combustion products of rubber are extremely complex due to the wide variety of ingredients put into the mix. Obviously they will vary according to the temperature of the fire, length of time burning, amount of oxygen present, etc.

While it is likely that there will be all sorts of nasties present in the smoke/fume while the tyres are actually on fire - and similarly in any firefighting water run-off - it's not likely that there will be significant quantities of anything unpleasant left now.

HF IS an exception to this rule where fluorine-containing polymers are used but that doesn't apply here.

There isn't going to be any "cyanide" on the tyres - it will have disappeared as hydrogen cyanide in the smoke from the fire.

Depending on the amount of tyres to handle I would suggest disposable overalls and gloves - as much due to the fact that they will be messy as due to any hazardous chemicals. Be aware that if the tyres are damaged, there may be wires sticking out of the sidewalls or through the treads.

Hope this helps

Heather