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Facts About Fire Retardant

By: KKTV
Updated: Sat 10:17 AM, Jun 30, 2012

A lot of people are wondering: what is in fire retardant? Is it safe? Could it contaminate soil or the water supply.

Edward Goldberg with Performance Products, which has a division of the company providing the retardant, spoke to 11 News and tried to shed some light.

The active ingredient is ammonium phosphate fertilizer, which is similar to the fertilizer you find at the store to put on your lawn. Farmers use it on their corn crop.

There are also performance additives in the retardant to give it its color so that pilots can see the ground. There is also a thickener in the retardant to give it elasticity, so it hits the ground where the pilot is aiming.

The retardant goes through stringent government testing before it's allowed, so it doesn't hurt people or wildlife.


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