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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #228279
Title: Environmental Considerations for Flame Resistant Textiles

Author
item WAKELYN, P. - NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL
item Condon, Brian
item Chang, Sechin

Submitted to: Recent Advances on Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2008
Publication Date: 10/1/2008
Citation: Wakelyn, P.J., Condon, B.D., Chang, S. 2008. Environmental Considerations for Flame Resistant Textiles. Recent Advances on Flame Retardancy of Polymeric Materials. p. 287.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Virtually all common textiles will ignite and burn. There are mandatory and voluntary cigarette and open-flame ignition regulations to address unreasonable fire risks associated with textile products that require them to be treated with and/or contain flame retardant chemicals to make them flame resistance. There are also national and state laws and potential legislation that affects the flame retardants that can be used as well as laws and potential regulations for ignition sources (e/g., candles, cigarette lighters, and “fire safe” cigarettes). The environmental/ecotoxicological implications of the use of flame retardant chemicals and desirable properties of environmentally friendly flame retardant chemicals are discussed. Some examples of potentially environmentally friendly flame retardant applications for textiles are given.