Members Of The Media & Experts: Flame Retardant Materials Helped Protect Passengers In San Francisco Crash

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Jul 08, 2013, 06:35 ET

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A number of today's media reports on Saturday's Asiana Airline crash in San Francisco have noted that flame retardant materials played a vital role in helping the passengers survive the crash. In response to the coverage, the American Chemistry Council's North American Flame Retardant Alliance released the following statement:

"Expert commentary and news reports about the Asiana Airline crash are crediting flame retardant materials, in part, with providing passengers on that flight with valuable escape time before flames engulfed the plane. This is not the first time that flame retardant materials have played a role in helping passengers escape a plane crash. Experts credited flame retardant materials, among other advancements, for helping to save 309 people during an Air France crash in Toronto in 2005. These real life examples underscore the research that shows that flame retardant materials can be effective in slowing the spread of fire and providing critical escape time, not only in airplanes, but in cars, homes and offices.

"While scientific advancements improved the circumstances around the disaster, it is still a terrible tragedy, in which two people lost their lives and many others were injured. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this crash."

MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE

The New York Times: 2 Die and Many Are Hurt as Plane Crashes in San Francisco
"Flame retardant materials inside the plane, including foil wrapping under the seats, most likely helped protect many passengers said Steven B. Wallace, who was the director of the office of accident investigation at the Federal Aviation Administration from 2000 to 2008.

"The F.A.A. has required the use of such materials for several decades. Mr. Wallace said that even though an Air France A340 suffered a worse fire after overrunning a runway in Toronto in 2005, all 309 people on board survived."

The Wall Street Journal: Asiana Crash Shows Disasters Are More Survivable
"Stronger seats that stay bolted down against extreme forces coupled with flame retardant materials help passengers survive the initial impact in many crash landings and gives them time to evacuate before fire engulfs cabins."

Wall Street Journal: Why the San Francisco Plane Crash Wasn't More Deadly
"Aviation-safety experts said the human toll of the crash was almost certainly reduced by efforts of jet makers, airlines and regulators to reduce the deadliness of air accidents—from the use of flame-retardant materials and new seats designed to withstand tremendous force, to changes in areas such as crew training."

According to the Journal, Kevin Hiatt, president and chief executive of the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit group in Alexandria, Va., that advocates for safety improvements world-wide, said improved fire-resistant materials used on seats and other parts of the cabin "likely helped the fire from intensifying so quickly."

International Business Times: Asiana Airlines Crash At San Francisco Airport: Four Important Takeaways

"Money and reputation combined make an enormous incentive for airlines to ensure their planes don't crash and their passengers don't die. New advances such as escape doors that are easier to open, smoke detectors in bathrooms, color-coded floor lights in the aisles, and seat cushions and carpeting that are fire-retardant are just a few of the improvements that have been added over the past two decades to make a quick escape not only possible, but probable."

The Associated Press: Passengers More Likely to Survive Plane Crashes Thanks to Cabin Advances, Cockpit Technology
"Saturday's crash was the latest where a big commercial airliner was destroyed but most passengers escaped with their lives. There were plenty of cuts, bruises and broken bones – and some more severe injuries – but only 2 of the 307 passengers and crew onboard died.

"Planes now are structurally sounder. In the cabin, stronger seats are less likely to move and crush passengers. Seat cushions and carpeting are fire retardant and doors are easier to open. Those improvements allow people to exit the plane more quickly."

Politico: 5 Reasons More Survive Plane Crashes
"Carpeting and seat cushions are now made of materials that burn slower, spread flames slower and don't give off noxious and dangerous gases."

www.americanchemistry.com/newsroom

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $770 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for twelve percent of all U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure

SOURCE American Chemistry Council