It only seems fair to address well-documented concerns of legacy chemicals first, in order to properly introduce the value of non-toxic flame retardants and fireproofing, and why these products deserve your time and consideration.
So… the bad…
Flame retardants are the subject of studies, investigations, blogs, documentaries, and international conventions. These products are used in everything from electronics to household furniture and are released through simple everyday wear and use. Humans are exposed through contact, proximity, and simple household dust. The compounds used in the historical products are linked with:
Health Dangers – delayed mental and physical disruption, fetal development, immuno-, neurological-, and reproductive-toxicity, endocrine disruption, lower IQ, genetic mutations, DNA damage, and cancer. Bioaccumulation studies confirmed the presence of these compounds in animal and human fat, breast milk, and blood samples of … and the levels continue to rise annually.
Environmental Dangers – “persistent organic pollutants” – these compounds remain in the environment, do not break down into safer fractions, and can be passed from species to species throughout the food chain. Samples of soil, deep-water animal tissue, remote trees, waterways, and air in far-reaching parts of the world reflect the presence and migration of flame retardant compounds across the globe.
Consequently, when exposed to heat, these products can release toxic gases which pose a significant danger to both firefighters and residents.
There are literally hundreds of articles online which can be found with a search for “persistent organic pollutants”, “flame retardants environment”, and “toxic flame retardants”.
Effective or not?
The question that is often raised is whether flame retardants provide the life-saving benefits of decreased fire-related damages, or if the benefits are simply offset by the increased health- and environmental-related damages. Fire statistics attribute a decreased number of fires and fire-related fatalities to the use of flame retardants and their ability to delay the spread of fire and smoke generated. Yet, another perspective is that flame retardants only increase health-risks to those involved in a fire, as well as those never involved in a fire but exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis nonetheless .
The results of numerous studies bolster both sides of this argument, but the question takes a different shape when considering the option of a non-toxic flame retardant product.
Some good news…
Not all flame retardants are created equal. Regulatory agencies, environmental watch groups, and international conventions do not classify every flame retardant as detrimental to humans, wildlife, or the environment. There IS the possibility of providing valuable fire prevention and life-saving protection without introducing additional hazards in the home or workplace.
Passive Protection, Inc. only uses fireproofing and flame retardants which are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and proven effective by nationally recognized and accredited testing labs.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us.