What Are Flame Retardants?

Chemicals known as flame retardants are added to materials to either stop a fire from starting or to limit its spread. They have been used in numerous consumer and commercial items to lessen the ignitability of materials. The following products frequently have flame retardants added or applied to them.

  • Foam, upholstery, mattresses, carpets, curtains, and fabric blinds are examples of furnishings.
  • Electronics and electrical equipment, including wires and cables as well as computers, laptops, phones, televisions, and home appliances.
  • Materials used in building and construction, such as electrical wires and cables and insulation foams made of polystyrene and polyurethane.
  • Products for the transportation industry include seats, bumpers, overhead bins, seat covers, and other components for cars, planes, and trains.
  • Many flame retardants have been discontinued or taken off the market. However, they can stay in the environment for years since they are difficult to degrade. They can also bioaccumulate, or accumulate over time in both humans and animals.

What Are the Applications of Flame Retardants?

  • Diet, consumer goods in the home, automobile, airplane, and office, as well as household dust, are just a few of the ways that people might be exposed to flame retardants.
  • During manufacturing, these substances may enter the soil, water, and air.
  • Products can leak chemicals into the air and into the dust.
  • When food is eaten, dust can enter the mouth from the hands, food, and lips.
  • through the burning and dismantling of electronic and electric trash without regulation, or through e-waste.

Do Many Kinds of Flame Retardants Exist?

There are countless variations of flame retardants. They are frequently divided into groups according to their chemical composition and characteristics. Whether a flame retardant contains bromine, chlorine, phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, or boron will generally determine what category it falls under.

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