New Delhi:
As the investigation deepens into the Hong Kong building fire that has claimed 65 lives, the role of construction materials that may have contributed to the fast spread of flames has come under scrutiny. Three top officials of the engineering company renovating the tower complex have been arrested in a suspected case of manslaughter. According to an Associated Press report, highly flammable Styrofoam has been found attached to windows on each floor of an unaffected tower, suggesting it was used in the renovation.Styrofoam is made of polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic. It is widely used in construction, insulation and food packaging. Its use in food packaging is banned in several parts of the world, including the European Union. The reasons behind the ban include the fact that Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and concerns that it may be carcinogenic.
A key property of Styrofoam is that it can ignite at relatively low temperatures and burns rapidly. When burning, it produces dense black smoke and poisonous fumes such as carbon monoxide. Styrofoam has air pockets: some estimates suggest air accounts for 95 to 98 per cent of its composition. While this makes Styrofoam light and buoyant, it also aids the quick spread of fire.
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