Influence of smoke from the combustion of polyvinyl chloride insulation on northern hardwood forest species

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1968 · Phytopathology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5262434

Wood, F A

Open burning is often used as a method of removing insulation from wire in salvage operations. Forest communities in the vicinity of an open burning site in northern Pennsylvania where polyvinyl chloride (PVC) insulation was being burned from copper wire were examined. Chlorotic flecks of the upper leaf surface, red-brown to black necrotic spots on the leaves, defoliation, and death were observed on black cherry, red maple, sugar maple, striped maple, serviceberry, and aspen. Tan, necrotic flecks and cupping and distortion of leaves were observed on American beech, red maple, sugar maple, striped maple, and serviceberry. Necrotic banding and chlorotic and necrotic flecks were observed on eastern hemlock. Black cherry was the most susceptible tree species, and damage was most severe northeast of the burnsite. There was a positive correlation between foliar chloride levels and degree of defoliation of black cherry and a negative correlation between diameter growth rate and percentage defoliation of black cherry. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and other compounds are released during the combustion of PVC insulation. Since HCl is known to be phytotoxic, it is likely that it is responsible for the damage. However, the typical marginal leaf symptoms associated with HCl damage were not observed.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
• OSTI ID: 5262434
• Journal Information: Phytopathology; (United States), Journal Name: Phytopathology; (United States) Vol. 58; ISSN PHYTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560303* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ASPENS
BEECH TREES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHLORINE
COMBUSTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONIFERS
CORRELATIONS
DEATH
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION III
FOLIAR UPTAKE
FORESTS
GROWTH
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INHIBITION
INJURIES
INORGANIC ACIDS
LEAVES
MAPLES
NECROSIS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PENNSYLVANIA
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
PVC
SENSITIVITY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TREES
UPTAKE
USA