1.   Brominated flame retardants are used in products as diverse as cars, computers, textiles and TV sets.

2.   Connectors, cables and plastic covers often incorporate flame retardants, which are under increasing scientific suspicion as possible carcinogens.

3.   Medford said the agency had already enlisted the Environmental Protection Agency to examine possible flame retardants.

4.   Ms. Fox said that so far no manufacturers are using her cotton to replace cotton treated with flame retardants.

5.   New directives in the European Union and Japan will force electronic equipment makers to eliminate lead and brominated flame retardants from their newer products, including wireless phones.

6.   The main use of brominated compounds is as flame retardants in a range of everyday products, from computers and television sets to clothing and furniture.

7.   The more mature chemicals business makes products like plastics used in auto windshields, flame retardants and synthetic fibers for carpet.

8.   Then there are cedar closets, mothballs, leathers treated with tanning agents and dyes and even stuffed animals sprayed with flame retardants.

9.   And though all flame retardants evaporate into room air in trace amounts, PBDE does so at lower levels compared to many alternatives.

10.   Aside from its use in sarin, the chemical can also be used in flame retardants and plastics.