Forwarded message:
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 04:00:08 +0100 (MET) Subject: Re: Burning papers From: nobody@REPLAY.COM (Anonymous)
I've heard that you can look at it under a microscope with a polarizing filter and see the magnetic patterns.
Go down to your local security or electronics supply (not Rat Shack) and you should be able to buy a polarized loupe and see it directly.
Plastic should burn fine, as most is polyethylene (CH2) which produces water and carbon dioxide when burned, leaving virtually no residue. The only plastic that you'd need to worry about is chlorinated stuff like PVC.
If it has any N in it then don't burn it in a closed space otherwise you will get various xCN compounds. These are very toxic, KCN is Potassium Cyanide. In general you don't want to burn most plastics in closed spaces or be downwind because they do give off various toxic chemicals. You can check with your local fire dept. and they can provide references on the plastics used in television cases, 3.5 floppy covers (v the disk itself), video tape, etc. and the sorts of gases they give off. When my house burned 3 years ago both my cats were killed because of smoke inhalation (approx. 9 computers and bunches of other plastics went up). It was not a pretty sight. Congealed blood from lung eruptions on their lips, very blue tinge to the skin, etc. Not a pretty sight. If you're smart avoid burning plastics except under very controlled circumstances. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | The most powerful passion in life is not love or hate, | | but the desire to edit somebody elses words. | | | | Sign in Ed Barsis' office | | | | _____ The Armadillo Group | | ,::////;::-. Austin, Tx. USA | | /:'///// ``::>/|/ http://www.ssz.com/ | | .', |||| `/( e\ | | -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- Jim Choate | | ravage@ssz.com | | 512-451-7087 | |____________________________________________________________________|