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Glite Dictionary
🐞 A bug poison 🔥 A fire blocker
organophosphate

organophosphate

1 7.6
A chemical added to plastics and fabrics to slow burning or make them flexible
  • noun
  • /ˌɔrɡənəˈfɑːsfeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : éster organofosforado
  • Several countries restrict certain organophosphate flame retardants because of concerns about human exposure.

Examples

  • Many organophosphates are used in the production of plastics.

  • The new organophosphate compounds are being tested for safety.

  • The sofa used an organophosphate flame retardant to meet safety standards.

  • Researchers measured levels of organophosphate compounds in indoor dust from electronics workshops.

  • Organophosphate esters are commonly added to plastics to improve their fire resistance.

  • The manufacture of electronics often includes organophosphate esters as key components for flexibility.

  • To enhance safety, manufacturers use organophosphate flame retardants in textile production.

Compounds

organophosphate nerve agent
  • NSFW
9.9

A very poisonous chemical weapon that stops the body's nerves working

Surface Forms

organophosphate singular
organophosphates plural

Morphology

organophosphate = phosphate (semi-transparent) = organo + phosphate

Built from the combining form 'organo-' + 'phosphate'; the construction is regular but the specialized industrial/chemical meaning is technical for general learners.

Etymology

Organophosphate combines organo-, from the word 'organic' meaning 'made from carbon or living things', and phosphate, the chemical group from the element phosphorus. So an organophosphate is a carbon-based chemical with a phosphate group, and some of these are used as flame retardants or plasticizers in materials like plastics and textiles.