What can happen if you breathe in burning plastic, only once?

Answer by  GoodStuff (18)

It depends. You may experience a scratchy sensation in your lungs, you may cough, or nothing may happen. Long term effects would likely be minimal unless you were at risk and caught an unlucky particle. Otherwise, at worst it might cost you 30 seconds off the end of your life. It is probably not a problem.

Answer by  abcdef (26)

You could breathe in toxic fumes, which could harm cells in your body, and may eventually turn into cancerous cells.

Answer by  scariapj (346)

When plastic burns it will release simple hydrocarbons or fumes may contains even cyanides and unknowingly what it releases we may respirate the fumes and it is dangerous.