FLAME RETARDANTS
„To burn or not to burn?“
Fig. 1: FR treated vs. untreated chair                               Source: www.nist.gov
Martin Kizovský

FLAME RETARDANTS (FRS)
¢Content of the presentation:
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—Overwiev – what, where, how?
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—Risk assessment – why do we care?
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—Sampling and analyses
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—Information gap
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—Conclusion

FRS – OVERVIEW
•What?
•Chemicals that inhibit or delay the spread of fire
•Halogenated (Cl, Br), Organophosphorus, Nitrogen
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•Where?
•Plastics, electronic circuit boards, building insulation materials, textiles, furniture
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Fig. 2: Using of FRs
Source: www.sourcewatch.org

FRS – OVERVIEW
•How?
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•(C)BFRs: interruption of radical chain mechanism in gas phase        of combustion process
•OPFRs: release of water in solid phase + coating
•NFRs: release of inert gases
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Fig. 3: Combusting process
Source: www.garmentstech.com

FRS – RISK ASSESSMENT
•Why do we care?
•Persistency
•Long-range transport
•Bioaccumulation
•Endocrine disruption
•Carcinogenic
¢

FRS – RISK ASSESSMENT
•Why do we care?
•Chemicals of concern – PBDEs, HBCD, TBPH, TDCPP, TBB
Fig. 6: FRs Timeline
Source: www.ewg.org

FRS – SAMPLING AND ANALYSES
•Sampling
•Dust collecting (vacuum cleaner)
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•Extraction
•acetone, toluene, hexane, DCM
•Soxhlet, ultra-sonication, column with silicagel
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•Analysis
•GC-MS
•LC-MS
•LC-MS/MS

FRS – INFORMATION GAP
•Problem
•Not enough information about real functionality
•Not enough information about toxicity
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•Ways to go
•Functionality – test with basic/random objects (are they needed?)
•Biomonitoring – long term (which & how are they toxic?)
•Update legislation as a result

FRS – CONCLUSION
•"To burn or not to burn?"
•Depends on situation
•Consider risk on both sides
•Search for alternatives
Fig. 7,
Source: www.firebuddy.co.nz

FRS – IMAGE SOURCES
•Fig. 1:
https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/styles/1400_x_1400_limit/public/images/el/fire_research/15
el003_burningchairs_lr.jpg?itok=OJhHNXY1
•Fig. 2: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Flame_Retardants
•Fig. 3: http://garmentstech.com/why-need-to-know-your-clothing-are-flame-retardants-free/
•Fig. 4: https://bcaction.org/site-content/uploads/2012/11/take-action-flame-retardants.png
•Fig. 5: http://saferchemicals.org/sc/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/typepad/times-sq-couch.png
•Fig. 6:
http://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2017/02/flame-retardant-roulette-swapping-one-toxic-compound-another
•Fig. 7: http://firebuddy.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/chip-pan-fire.jpg
•Fig. 8: http://memes.com/img/1128020
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FRS – END
Fig. 8, Source: www.memes.com