Citation

Hofland W, Dijkman MCTH. J. Risk Res. 2016; 19(8): 1071-1077.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13669877.2015.1088055

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Flame retardants can be added to different materials or applied as a treatment to materials such as textiles and plastics to prevent fires from starting, limit the spread of fire and minimise fire damage. In total there are in excess of 140 different substances with flame retardant characteristics, consisting of all different types of chemicals. These substances are necessary because materials that need to be made fire resistant are very different in their physical nature and chemical composition. Flame retardants react differently with fire depending on their chemical nature. Consequently, flame retardants need to be matched appropriately to the type of host material, so we always have to find bespoke solutions. Flame retardants are used predominantly in electronics and electrical devices for instance in TVs, computers and servers; building and construction materials like insulation, foam and paint; furnishings such as sofas, curtains, blinds and mattresses; and transportation for example in airplanes, trains and cars.

Language: en