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Are toxic fumes carcinogenic ?

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hi doctor

A question about the inhaling of probably toxic fumes from melted plastic and chemical experiment

Recently at an experimental presentation, a young teacher performed an experiment where a potassium compound (looked like a bluish powder) was mixed with a transparent, thick, liquid, which produced a flame inside a beaker. I think the result was supposed to produce a "volcano". What happened was a flame came out, and the plastic beaker melted. This resulted in some dark smoke in the room where I was in, and a horrible smell. The window was opened and the smoke escaped in the matter of a few minutes, I don't think I inhaled much directly - HOWEVER the bad smell remained.

My question is if any of the toxic by-products from this reaction in the air (from the potassium compound with a thick transparent substance, producing a flame and melting a plastic beaker as well) could have negatively impacted my (future) health in any permanent way? I read they can be carcinogenic..


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replied January 10th, 2008
Muscular and Nerve Disorders Answer A3494
It's not possible to discuss toxic effects of gasses without knowing what was released. I'm sorry, but you will have to check to see what exact chemical reaction was produced in order to follow up.


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