In article ,
Spider wrote:

Also be very careful that you don't burn laurel (the prunus type) indoors.
It gives off cyanide fumes, as it will in the garden so always stand upwind
from it.

Really? That sounds most implausible. Hydrogen cyanide is extremely
flammable, with a flash point of -17.78 degrees Celsius and an
autoignition temperature of only 538 degrees Celsius.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguide...cognition.html

Obviously, don't burn it under circumstances where you might be at
risk from carbon monoxide, because hydrogen cyanide is even more
toxic, but LOTS of the Rosaceae contain quite a lot of cyanides
and Prunus laurocerasus isn't as extreme as people think. Every
time I shred my Cotoneaster franchetti, there is a strong smell
of bitter almonds, for example :-)


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.