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Flame retardants are materials that inhibit or resist the spread of fire. Naturally occurring substances such as asbestos as well as synthetic materials, usually halocarbons such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorendic acid derivates, most often dibutyl chlorendate and dimethyl chlorendate, have been used in this capacity. Generally, these classes of flame retardant compounds are the most common: aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and various hydrates; organobromines and organochlorines; phosphorus, in the form of organophosphates, halogenated phosphorus compounds, and red phosphorus; antimony trioxide; and boron compounds, mostly borates.