San Francisco, California -- "Expert commentary and news reports about the Asiana Airline crash are crediting flame retardant materials [including polyurethane seat cushioning], in part, with providing passengers on that flight with valuable escape time before flames engulfed the plane," according to the American Chemistry Council's North American Flame Retardant Alliance in a statement.
Two people died and 180 were injured when the flight 214 crashed on Saturday 6 July after crossing the Pacific.
The North American Flame Retardant Alliance added: "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," said the North American Flame Retardant Alliance.
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