Transformations of chlorinated organic additives in polystyrene in the course of oxidative pyrolysis

Oxidative pyrolysis of polystyrene containing chlorinated organic additives was studied by synchronous thermal analysis combined with mass spectrometry of decomposition products. Commercial polystyrene foam sample with unknown composition of fireproofing additives and artificially prepared polystyrene with an admixture of chlorinated paraffins were chosen as investigation objects. Under the conditions of oxidative pyrolysis, both samples decompose to form chlorinated organic compounds, including highly toxic phosgene.