Halogens: Elements as for example fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine are halogens and are to be found in the 7th main group of the periodic table of elements. They are contained in many chemical compounds and plastic materials, chlorine for example in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fluorine in Fluoro Ethylene propylene (FEP). Halogens are added to plastic materials in order to improve for example their flame protection characteristics.
In case of fire, however,such halogens release corrosive and toxic gases and cause considerable smoke emission. Halogenated gases can form strongly corrosive acids in combination with extinguishing water or humidity. These characteristics can be hazardous to health for humans and animals. Furthermore, machine components can be damaged permanently by corrosion.