Environmentally friendly flame resistant textiles

Abstract: Virtually all common textiles will ignite and burn. Mandatory and voluntary cigarette and open-flame ignition regulations have been developed 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 resistant. There are also national and state laws and potential legislation that regulate the flame retardants that can be used as well as ignition sources (e.g., candles, cigarette lighters, and reduced ignition propensity cigarettes). The focus is on the environmental/ecotoxicological implications of the use of flame retardant chemicals and desirable properties of environmentally friendly flame retardant chemicals. Some examples of potentially environmentally friendly flame retardant applications for textiles are given.