A smoldering cigarette could turn an apartment without flame retardant protection into an inferno in less than 3 minutes.
However, if the chair, bedding, or carpet where the cigarette lay, had flame retardant, the fire might never have started. And if a fire did start, the flame retardants would have reduced the heat and spread of the fire, taking 10-15 minutes to be deadly. Flame retardants provide time: time to leave in safety.
Some marine bacteria produce potent persistent organic compounds that are nearly identical to flame retardant chemicals.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a widely distributed group of marine bacteria that produce compounds nearly identical to toxic man-made fire retardants.
Let’s take a look at why California SB1019, mandating furniture labeling, is necessary. The short version? It's not necessary at all.
In the previous post we looked at the language of the labeling California SB1019 would require. Now, let's take a quick look at how TB 117-2013 is referred to in the proposed legislation.
In April, I wrote urging people to contact their California senators to oppose California SB1019. It seems that this bill might actually pass. There have been some revisions and amendments which make the bill slightly more useful. However, a closer look at the proposed language of the label shows more work needs to be done.