Flame retardants are present in thousands of everyday items, from clothing to furniture to electronics.
Flame retardants are present in thousands of everyday items, from clothing to furniture to electronics. Although these substances can help prevent fire-related injuries and deaths, they could have harmful effects on human health and the environment. Of particular concern are those known as organohalogens, which are derived from petroleum. Today, scientists report potentially less toxic, biodegradable flame retardants from an unlikely source: plants.
The researchers will present their results at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2019 National Meeting & Exposition. ACS, the world’s largest scientific society, is holding the meeting here through Thursday. It features more than 9,500 presentations on a wide range of science topics.
“The best flame-retardant chemicals have been organohalogen compounds, particularly brominated aromatics,” says Bob Howell, Ph.D., the project’s principal investigator. “The problem is, when you throw items away, and they go into a landfill, these substances can leach into the environment.”
Read more at American Chemical Society
Image: A flammable epoxy resin (left) burns, but one coated with a plant-derived flame retardant (right) does not. Credit: Yoseph Getachew
