Abstract
An investigation was undertaken to define the toxic hazards of fires involving organophosphorus insecticides. Solutions of malthion and of parathion in a variety of solvents were burned and the fire gases and residues were analyzed. Most of the insecticide present was destroyed by decomposition or combustion during the fire. Some polymerization products were found. Distilled vapors of the insecticides escaping the fire were considerably diluted. A method for estimating the potential concentrations and hazards for a given situation is described.