Wolf,

I 'm glad you asked this question! Now that I've retired from Molecular Virological Research, I can concentrate on Health and Safety Issues. ONe of my areas of concentration is Industrial Hygiene. Please allow me a short 15 minute break and I'll be right back to answer your question.


Our bases are made of plastic polymers. This plastic is simlar to Polystyrene. Polystyrene is a long hydrocarbon chain bonded to aromatic benzene or styrene rings. When we burn our bases it burns a yellow-organe flame that gives off soot ( the back smoke that come from the bases when flashing the prones). This tells use that the material can with stand high temperatures
240 C. The Bases are strong and durable! They are water resistant, can with stand high temperature and extreme cold. They are not biodegradable! That's why some bases have been around for decades in good condition. If your bases start sweating from the heat, your in big trouble. If they start to crack from the cold, your in big trouble! The difference in humidty will be more noticable to us before it affects the bases. Your boards, decals and paints are not as durable. In other words, a competion in Alaska would be the same in the desert of Arizona.