flame retardants
Combustion-slowing chemical additives
Flame retardants are chemicals added to materials to slow ignition or reduce fire spread.
They're applied to fabrics, plastics, foams, and building materials: The couch was treated with flame retardants.
Some have raised health and environmental concerns, leading to regulation of certain compounds while manufacturers develop safer alternatives.
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- teratogenicCausing fetal malformations
contamination · exposure · brominated · halogenated · chlorinated · off-gassing · breast milk
Woven or knit materials
- upholsteryFurniture's textile layer
- foamBubble-filled substance
- plasticsMoldable petroleum-based materials
- electronicsStudy of circuits
mattresses · insulation · carpeting · polyurethane · circuit boards · cables · furniture · curtains
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- building codesLaws governing structure safety
- fire codesBuilding flame-prevention laws
EPA · CPSC · bans · restrictions · labeling · phase-out · regulatory agencies · product safety
Unable to ignite
- fire-resistantSlow to catch flame
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- insulationThermal transfer prevention
suppression · containment · intumescent · self-extinguishing · thermal barrier · incombustible · heat resistance · protective coating
bioaccumulation
Pollutant concentration in tissues
- neurotoxicityHarmful effects on nerves
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
teratogenic · contamination · exposure · brominated · halogenated · chlorinated · off-gassing · breast milk
textiles
Woven or knit materials
- upholsteryFurniture's textile layer
- foamBubble-filled substance
- plasticsMoldable petroleum-based materials
electronics · mattresses · insulation · carpeting · polyurethane · circuit boards · cables · furniture · curtains · bedding
compliance
Adhering to requirements
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- certificationAttestation of qualification
- building codesLaws governing structure safety
fire codes · EPA · CPSC · bans · restrictions · labeling · phase-out · regulatory agencies · product safety · import restrictions
fireproof
Unable to ignite
- fire-resistantSlow to catch flame
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- shieldingProtecting from harm
insulation · suppression · containment · intumescent · self-extinguishing · thermal barrier · incombustible · heat resistance · protective coating
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- Contaminantspollutants, pollutant, heavy metals, toxin, pesticides
- fire protectionfire alarm, fireproofing, fire sprinkler, firestops, sprinkler system
- pollutantspollutants, pollutant, contaminant, contaminants, toxin
- chemical additivesadditives, plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, preservatives
- endocrine disruptorsBPA, phthalates, parabens, PCBs, dioxins
flame retardantsaccelerants
Substances hastening reactions
oxidizers · combustibles · propellants · flammable materials · incendiaries
flame retardantsfire starters
Materials for igniting flames
firelighters · matches · kindling · tinder · incendiary devices
flame, inflamed, inflammation, inflammable, aflame, inflammatory, conflagration, retard, flamethrower