Office of Environmental Affairs

91 Fourth Street * P.O. Box 7 * Trion, Georgia 30753 (706) 734-4714 * FAX (706) 734-7708 * E-mail RonB@MVMills.com

INFORMATION BULLETIN AMTEXTM FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS

AMTEXTM Flame Resistant Fabrics are treated with a phosphonium sulfate and urea based precondensate. Once applied to the fabric, this chemical is crosslinked with ammonia and then oxidized with hydrogen peroxide to complete the reaction to form a polymer that becomes permanently polymerized within the fabric. The flame resistance of AMTEXTM fabrics is durable for the life of the garment when laundering is in accordance with the garment manufacturers instructions. The flame retardant used contains very low levels of formaldehyde. The formaldehyde level in the fabrics prior to laundering will be less than 75 parts per million (ppm) (0.0075%) when tested utilizing the Japanese Law 112 Test Method. While a few individuals may show skin sensitivity to formaldehyde at this level, the vast majority is unaffected. All fabrics manufactured by Mount Vernon meet all of the restrictions and limitations in the most recent version of the AAFA Restricted Substances List (RSL) as well as Appendix 4 of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for Product Class II. This includes our ultra-low formaldehyde AMTEXTM FR high performance fabrics manufactured after June 2012. As this new development in ultra-low formaldehyde FR fabrics comes on the heels of the already state-of-the-art chemistry for imparting flame resistance on cotton in order to meet our customers (and end user's) strict performance criteria for these high performance fabrics, we are excited to be able to offer an even better product. Our FR chemistry will still be based on tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate (THPS), which is not listed on any of the published RSL's.

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The formaldehyde present in AMTEXTM Flame Resistant Fabrics is bound up in the fabric and is not likely to become airborne. During fabric processing such as cutting and sewing, working conditions should be optimized through adequate ventilation and climate control. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established 1000 ppm (0.1%) as the reporting threshold for formaldehyde. While the levels in these fabrics are well below this, Mount Vernon reports the values as a courtesy to our customers. We believe that the ultra-low level of formaldehyde present in AMTEXTM Flame Resistant Fabrics poses no significant health hazard to wearers.

Ronald J. Beegle, REM, CEA Corporate Director of Environmental Affairs Mount Vernon Mills, Inc.

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