[humblegunner]

Thread with the word "retardants" used many times ping.

[Allegra]

Such a long and cumbersome word.

Why can't they just say "'tards?"

[Allegra]

For the past 30 years, flame ‘tards have been found in every Canadian home, added liberally as a safety precaution to everything from mattresses and carpets to stereos, televisions and computers.

Now Canada is poised to add flame ‘tards — or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) — to its toxic-substances list.

The animal findings on their own would not be a major concern, except for a second disturbing discovery: Flame ‘tards are not staying put in consumer products. They have been migrating from mattresses and computers, in ways that are not completely understood, into the environment and into people.

It's been a strange odyssey for flame ‘tards — from lifesaver to possible health hazard.