Plastic Abbreviation Volatile substances

Polyoxymethylene POM Formaldehyde

Epoxy resins based on 

bisphenol A

Phenol

Chloroprene rubber CR Chloroprene(2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene), 

hydrogen chloride

Polystyrene PS Styrene

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-

copolymer

ABS Styrene, 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile

Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer SAN Acrylonitrile, styrene

Polycarbonates PC Phenol

Polyvinyl chloride PVC Hydrogen chloride, plasticisers 

(frequently phthalic acid esters such 

as dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate)

Polyamide 6 PA 6 e-caprolactam

Polyamide 66 PA 66 Cyclopentanone, 

hexamethylenediamine

Polyethylene HDPE, LDPE Unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, 

aliphatic aldehydes

Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Perfluorinated unsaturated 

hydrocarbons (e.g., tetrafluoroethylene, 

hexafluoropropene, octafluorobutene)

Polymethyl methacrylate PMMA Methyl methacrylate

Polyurethane PUR Depending on the type, widely varying 

decomposition products 

(e.g., CFCs1 as foaming agents, 

ether and glycol ether, 

diisocyanates, hydrogen cyanide, 2 aromatic amines, chlorinated 

phosphoric acid esters as flame 

protection agents)

Polypropylene PP Unsaturated and saturated aliphatic 

hydrocarbons

Polybutyle enterephthalate 

(polyester)

PBTP 1,3-butadiene, benzene

Polyacrylonitrile PAN Acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide2

Cellulose acetate CA Acetic acid

AbbreviationVolatile substances

Polyoxymethylene POM Formaldehyde

Epoxy resins based on 

bisphenol A

Phenol

Chloroprene rubber CR Chloroprene(2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene), 

hydrogen chloride

Polystyrene PS Styrene

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-

copolymer

ABS Styrene, 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile

Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer SAN Acrylonitrile, styrene

Polycarbonates PC Phenol

Polyvinyl chloride PVC Hydrogen chloride, plasticisers 

(frequently phthalic acid esters such 

as dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate)

Polyamide 6 PA 6 e-caprolactam

Polyamide 66 PA 66 Cyclopentanone, 

hexamethylenediamine

Polyethylene HDPE, LDPE Unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, 

aliphatic aldehydes

Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE Perfluorinated unsaturated 

hydrocarbons (e.g.,

tetrafluoroethylene, 

hexafluoropropene, octafluorobutene)

Polymethyl methacrylate PMMA Methyl methacrylate

Polyurethane PUR Depending on the type, widely varying 

decomposition products 

(e.g., CFCs1 as foaming agents, 

ether and glycol ether, 

diisocyanates, hydrogen cyanide, 2 aromatic amines, chlorinated 

phosphoric acid esters as flame 

protection agents)

Polypropylene PP Unsaturated and saturated aliphatic 

hydrocarbons

Polybutyle enterephthalate 

(polyester)

PBTP 1,3-butadiene, benzene

Polyacrylonitrile PAN Acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide2

Cellulose acetate CA Acetic acid