A tank of Phos-Chek fire retardand at Ramona Airport (KRNM) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Flame retardants are often extremely harmful to health.
Despite this, they are found in many types of synthetic materials which would otherwise ignite quickly. Empa researchers have now succeeded in producing non-harmful flame retardants.
Synthetic materials made from organic polymers usually burn very well due to their high carbon content; when turned into foams, they ignite even more easily – and, depending on their chemical compositions, they produce toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide or carbon monoxide. For this reason, polyurethane foams and other similar products have to be treated with flame retardants. These foam materials are widely used in upholstered furniture and mattresses, as insulation and packaging materials and as expanding spray foams.
Conventional halogenated flame retardants such as tri(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) or some polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are suspected of being harmful to health and the environment: a number of these substances are extremely persistent and accumulate in the environment, have hormone-like effects and are even thought to be carcinogenic. Non-harmful replacements are therefore called for. These are exactly what Empa researchers have developed in conjunction with Swiss company FoamPartner within the scope of a project sponsored by the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI).
Healthier, more environmentally friendly and with no additional cost
The novel flame retardants are organic phosphorus-containing compounds, so-called phosphoramidates. The Empa researchers synthesised several of these substances (which differ from each other in terms of the type of amine substituents attached to the phosphorus) and added them to the polyurethane foam in increasing concentrations. First results indicate that the flame retardants did not have a negative effect on the foam manufacturing process. As a result, conventional agents that are harmful to health may soon be a thing of the past.
The Latest Bing News on:
Non-toxic flame retardants
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which offers a naturally flame-retardant barrier, rather than one created by chemical sprays. This mattress is treated with a Guardin non-toxic botanical antimicrobial treatment, and it's covered ...
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few secondson November 18, 2023 at 10:23 pm
But chemicals created decades ago to protect people’s homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals ... known as flame retardants (FRs) were developed ...
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few secondson November 15, 2023 at 4:16 am
Flame retardants were developed to prevent house fires and help save lives. But they come with some serious health risks.
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks—and they only slow fire by a few seconds, says researcheron November 14, 2023 at 4:00 pm
But chemicals created decades ago to protect people's homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals ... chemicals known as flame retardants (FRs ...
- Are flame retardants about to burn a hole in biodiversity? (commentary)on November 12, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Researchers recently mapped more than 150 species of wild animals across every continent contaminated with flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals are added to furniture, electronics and ...
- Non-halogenated flame retardants introduced for transport and construction applicationson November 11, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The non-halogenated additives are currently available as laboratory product samples and have phosphorus contents of 25% and 29% respectively, enabling only a low dosage of flame retardant to be used ...
- 10 Best Organic, Nontoxic, and Natural Mattresses for 2023on November 9, 2023 at 4:01 pm
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Despite some flame retardant chemicals being banned in Canada ... it's also about the toxic chemicals that are used in very small amounts." Using peer-reviewed studies from experts worldwide ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Non-toxic flame retardants
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Non-toxic flame retardants” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Non-harmful flame retardants
- Poisonous Plantson December 5, 2023 at 6:35 pm
Plants listed as either non-toxic, or potentially toxic with mild GI upset as their symptoms are not expected to be life-threatening to your pets. If you believe that your animal is ill or may have ...
- Non-Toxic Flooring Options You Can Feel Good About Installingon December 4, 2023 at 3:15 am
If you're looking for non-toxic flooring options, there are several possibilities depending on your needs and style. Learn about the best non-toxic floors.
- The 6 Best Non-Toxic Mattresses of 2023, According to Sleep Expertson November 20, 2023 at 6:04 pm
which offers a naturally flame-retardant barrier, rather than one created by chemical sprays. This mattress is treated with a Guardin non-toxic botanical antimicrobial treatment, and it's covered ...
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few secondson November 18, 2023 at 10:23 pm
But chemicals created decades ago to protect people’s homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals ... known as flame retardants (FRs) were developed ...
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks – and they only slow fire by a few secondson November 15, 2023 at 4:16 am
Flame retardants were developed to prevent house fires and help save lives. But they come with some serious health risks.
- Flame retardant chemicals can cause serious health risks—and they only slow fire by a few seconds, says researcheron November 14, 2023 at 4:00 pm
But chemicals created decades ago to protect people's homes from out of control flames opened our front doors to a new menace: toxic chemicals ... chemicals known as flame retardants (FRs ...
- Are flame retardants about to burn a hole in biodiversity? (commentary)on November 12, 2023 at 3:59 pm
These behaviors put them at a higher risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals, including flame retardants. The two research and tourist camps within the park could also be sources of pollution ...
- Non-halogenated flame retardants introduced for transport and construction applicationson November 11, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The non-halogenated additives are currently available as laboratory product samples and have phosphorus contents of 25% and 29% respectively, enabling only a low dosage of flame retardant to be used ...
- 10 Best Organic, Nontoxic, and Natural Mattresses for 2023on November 9, 2023 at 4:01 pm
Many manufacturers use chemicals to make the materials flame retardant. However, some companies avoid using potentially harmful chemicals. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried ...
- Here's how flame retardants are harming wildlife, humans in Canadaon November 5, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Despite some flame retardant chemicals being banned in Canada ... it's also about the toxic chemicals that are used in very small amounts." Using peer-reviewed studies from experts worldwide ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Non-harmful flame retardants
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