Title: Grenfell Tower Fire : Fire Toxicity – The Elephant in the Room
Abstract: This presentation will evaluate fire hazards to humans and the environment, using the Grenfell Tower fire as a case study. It will examine how modern building materials and content contribute to fire development and the release of various toxic fire effluents, highlighting their acute health effects and outcomes on occupants. Additionally, the presentation will provide an overview of different groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the chronic health risks they pose to emergency responders.
Agenda:
16.45: Tea and coffee on arrival
17.00: Talk by Prof Anna Stec
17.45: Q & A session
18.00: Drinks reception
About Professor Anna Stec
Anna Stec is Professor of Fire Chemistry and Toxicity here. She has undertaken research into fires and fire effluents, including quantification of toxic hazards from fires, and understanding the factors that affect the short- and long-term toxicity of fire smoke and residues. Prof Stec presented evidence to the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee on “Toxic chemicals in everyday life” and was an invited expert to the Scientific Advisory Group working on the Grenfell Tower soil contamination study. As an expert witness to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Prof Stec undertook an investigation to determine the fire-derived toxicants and related deposits present in the Tower to determine the extent to which construction product effluents penetrated the Tower. She has also served as Invited Specialist on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans, Volume 132: Occupational Exposure as a Firefighter.
