Biological end‐points for the assessment of the toxicity of the products of combustion of materials

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Abstract
The toxicological end‐points used in a method for the assessment of the toxicity of combustion products are described. The evaluation considers three areas of toxicological interaction: incapacitation, death, and post‐exposure involvement. The model of incapacitation described is the leg‐flexion avoidance response of the rat. Additional end‐points to assist in the determination of the causality of the observed toxicity are included. The effects of the combustion products of Douglas fir, a phenolic foam, a urea formaldehyde foam and a flexible polyurethane foam on these endpoint are described. The wide range of types of potential toxicities resulting form exposure of animals to the combustion products of materials is discussed. Additionally discussed are the relative merits of the leg‐flexion avoidance response as a model of incapacitation. Conclusions as to the important components of a first‐tier toxicological evaluation of combustion products are drawn.