World Resources Forum (WRF) think piece on combining safe use of flame retardants with human health and environment. Adrien Specker, WRF, underlines the fire and smoke risks posed by plastics and the need for flame retardants (FRs) to reduce their ignitability. This poses a dual challenge of ensuring that FRs used are compatible with recycling and plastics end-of-life management, and are also safe. Some brominated and chlorinated FRs, used in the past, are listed as POPs (persistent organic pollutants) by the Stockholm Convention. The EU’s Regulatory Strategy on Flame Retardants (see pinfa Newsletter 147) aims to ensure “the safe use of flame retardants while upholding human health and environmental protection standards”. At the same time, effective end-of-life management practices for plastics are essential. The article concludes that a combination of flame retardant innovation, responsible management and regulation can ensure a future where plastics are both fire-safe and sustainable.
“Plastics and Flame Retardants: Balancing Safety and Sustainability”, A. Specker, World Resources Forum (WRF), 14th May 2024, https://www.wrforum.org/think-piece/plastics-and-flame-retardants-balancing-safety-and-sustainability/