Scientists Create a Fire Safe, Green Plastic
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts have created a synthetic polymer(a building block of plastic) that doesn't burn! This makes it an attractive alternative to our traditional plastics of which most are flammable. Also the traditional plastics used in buses, airplanes, etc must have fire retardant chemicals added to them for public safety. This new plastic would eliminate the need for the added chemicals which have been showing up in trace amounts in dust around the home or office, in breast milk, and in fat cells. The Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA) says that %40 of people who survive a plane crash die from the fire that follows. So having a fire proof cabin could save lives. The polymer has a naturally high char yield, 70 percent, and only releases water vapour when it is burned instead hazardous chemicals. I myself feel that this is a positive step forward that has benefits on all sides. This new plastic is environmentally safe and has the potential to save lives, its a win win situation for everyone. The scientists who developed this plastics say they will do more testing on aircraft parts with other consumer products to follow suit. Read the details of the article here.
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2 COMMENTS, ADD YOURS HERE:
This is really useful information. Thanks for the link!
YAY!! I'm really glad to hear about this solution!! Having a house with older cushions and carpeting, and knowing how these older synthetics are unhealthy, this comes as a relief to us!! ..& to a land besieged by toxic plastics - oceans chock full of it too.
Seems only sensible to mimic and use natural materials - after all, nature produces an abundant array of healthy polymers all on its own, from collagen to cellulose & lignin to polyterpenes. Paul Hawken's on the right track, and looks like this plastic is following that path!!
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