Aqueous and dry duel-action flame and smoke retardant and microbe inhibiting compositions, and related methods

A dry composition for application to a material to reduce an amount of burning that may occur to the material, or an amount or density of smoke that may be produced by the material, or both, and to reduce, inhibit or prevent a growth of microbes on the material, comprising:

• (a) at least one alkaline metal inorganic salt, wherein the alkaline metal inorganic salts are present in the composition in a combined amount ranging from about 2% to about 70% by weight;
• (b) at least one potassium salt of an organic acid, wherein the potassium salts of an organic acid are present in the composition in a combined amount ranging from about 20% to about 45% by weight;
• (c) at least one boron-containing compound, wherein the boron-containing compounds are present in the composition in a combined amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight;
• (d) optionally, a microbe-inhibiting compound, wherein the microbe-inhibiting compound is present in the composition in a combined amount ranging from about 0% to about 6% by weight;
• and
• (e) optionally, a detection component, wherein the detection component is present in the composition in a combined amount ranging from about 0% to about 10% by weight;
• wherein the dry composition, when applied to the material in an effective amount, or at an effective application rate:
• (i) reduces the amount of burning that occurs to the material, or the amount or density of smoke produced by the material, when the material is subsequently exposed to fire;
• and
• (ii) when the composition is applied to a material prior to, during or after the material being exposed to conditions favorable to the growth of microbes, reduces, inhibits or prevents the growth of microbes on the material when the material is exposed to conditions favorable to the growth of microbes.