Somewhat OT, but the question was raised.
Nikki asks:
"    Can anybody explain to me why infant and child clothing has to
be treated
with flame retardant chemicals in the first place?
    If the baby was in a burning house, the chemicals wouldn't save
a life."

Certainly it would make no difference in whether baby would suffer
from smoke inhalation (which I understand is the primary cause of
death in fires) or possibly burns severe enough to kill.  However, I
have seen how fast some materials can "flash" and when a parent can
get to a child in a fire, the material the child is wearing can make
a difference between severe or mild to moderate burns.  Children
aren't just burned in a burning house, but in many cases from
clothing brushing against a stove, fireplace, candle or any very hot
item can burn very quickly leading to serious burns.  This can
happen very quickly even under the watchful eyes of a parent.
Therefore, it would be very good to have garments made from a
material slow to flash.  Unfortunately, what is currently available
seems to have severe drawbacks which lead to the question which is
more dangerous, the fast burning or the side effects of what is
being used to slow burning.

Winnie

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