What is the chemical in the non flammable clothing?

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While shopping for fabric lately I saw the warning again that some type of material (like the flannel I was looking at) was marked not suitable for sleepwear since it had no antiflammable stuff in it. Does anyone know when they started this, what exactly is the chemical used to treat the clothing or fabric that is flame retardant, is it bad for us? I understand they wanted to make it safer for children, but don't most children or people die of smoke inhalation first before the flames get close to them or was it for the space heater when we all like to back up to the fire to get warm? Any thoughts? Carol in Tx

-- Carol (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), December 05, 2000

Answers

According to Home Safe Home, by Debra Lynn Dadd,the use of chemical flame-retardant finishes have"gone by the wayside" for children's sleepwear, but is still legally used in adult sleepwear, hospital gowns, uniforms, wigs, and other textile products. TRIS has been banned because it is a carcinogen. Children's sleepwear is mostly made from polyester. "Polyester shrinks from flame and will melt, leaving a hard black residue. The fabric will burn with a strong pungent odor, Some polyesters are self-extinguishings. Melted polyester fiber can produce sever burns." the author goes on to say that she "assumes that the polyester fibers used to make children's sleepwear are the self-extinguishing sort."

"There are three types of flame resisitant fabrics, 1. synthetic fabrics made from fibers for which the flame resistance is inherent in the fabric; 2. synthetic fabrics made from fibers to which flame- retardant chemicals have been added during manufacture. 3. fabrics to which flame retardant chemical are added after the fabric is woven."

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), December 05, 2000.


I dont know about flame retardent chemicals but the most popular flame resistant material is Nomex. It's what my firemans suit is made of and also the material in the flight gear that military pilots wear. Over my thirty years of wearing this material the only repeated warning for destroying its' fire retardent properties is powdered bleach. Your children are in much greater danger from smoke inhalation during a fire than any open flame. Invest in smoke detectors and batteries. Inspect your detectors regularly. Teach your children an alternate escape route and have them practice it!! You may not be able to reach them in a fire. Can they open the window or unlock the door? You have less than four minutes to escape in most house fires until the visibilty is zero. Detectors are provided free at almost every childrens hospital and every childs bedroom needs one. I just completed a training course from our local burn clinic and the majority of the patients are small children. It is so heart breaking to see these children disfigured so needlessly. Ok, I'm off my soap box now. I would like to say I'm a new comer to this forum and find the advice here very helpful and I wish all of you a safe and merry Christmas!

-- Bob (bksl@cyberback.com), December 07, 2000.

Good post bob Listen to him.I was in a house that went up in smoke.If not for the smoke detector I would not be here I'm certain.I was asleep.I had enough time to get my pants shirt & shoes on, and call the emergency #. To finish the conversation with them,I had to stretch the phone cord to the outside door,to be able to even breath.Got out with literally the shirt on my back.Wasn't even able to get back in to get my wallet.Fire's nothing to fool around with .

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 07, 2000.

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