Problems With Flame-Resistant Clothing

Industrial employees, such as welders and electrical linemen, work near dangerous heat and electricity that can cause severe burns, or even death. Flame-resistant, or FR, clothing protects a worker by preventing fire ignition through specially manufactured textile materials. However, FR clothing problems have been observed by users, prompting research regarding the chemicals used for treating the garment.

History

• In the 1960s, the molten metal industry began using FR garments, protecting workers from burns associated with metal splash backs. Oil refineries began using the garments in the 1970s, and eventually the electrical industry adopted the use in the 1990s. The FR garment benefit of preventing worker burns overshadowed the problems with the chemicals embedded within the material.

Composition

• Each FR garment manufacturer uses different processes for constructing and treating a final product. However, the chemicals needed for creating a flame-resistant material are also used in basic fire retardants. Antimony, chlorine, bromine, ammonia and phosphate compounds are typically used for treating cotton and cotton mixtures. The FR garment retains these chemicals for effectively preventing burns.

Heavy Metal Poisoning

• Antimony is a heavy metal element that also releases harmful gasses when heated, such as during laundering. Firefighter FR uniforms with antimony have caused numerous cases of illness in Florida, states Natural News. Ailments, from tremors to toe paralysis, have been reported by the firefighters. In fact, family members exposed to warm, laundered FR garments have elevated antimony levels within their bodies from the released gasses.

Dermatitis

• Dermatitis, or skin irritation, occurs with FR garments as well. The chemicals within the FR material rub against the skin, causing an allergic reaction. Skin becomes inflamed or swollen at the direct contact site. Additionally, the dyes used within the FR garment, such as Basic Red 46, cause skin irritation with some workers.

FR Garment Function

• The chemicals within the FR garment allow the material to react differently with fire than a typical cotton garment. Fire exposure causes the FR garment to melt, rather than burst into flames. The melting process creates a charred surface, protecting the person from thermal energy and impeding flammable gas release from the material. The material cannot support fire ignition when the heat element is removed from the area.

Alternative Choice

• An alternative to chemically treated FR garments is the use of inherent FR garments. Inherent FR garments have fire retardants built into the material fiber's structure, such as polyester's polymer configuration. These garments do not require a chemical treatment after manufacturing, making them a healthier choice of FR material since the chemicals are not applied to the garment's surface. However, workers should note that the chemicals embedded in the fibers are still the same, possibly causing illness over time.