What's the What with Melamine

In recent weeks pets have been dying from contaminated food. All signs point to a by product called melamine, but what exactly is it?

Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde producing melamine resin. The resin is both heat tolerant and fire resistant. The resulting material can be used in a variety of ways. Floor tiles, whiteboards and commercial filters are all products that feature the material. Your kitchen counter? Chances are it's made from melamine. Foam products are another thing that melamine is used in. The foam it makes is incredibly hard and can clean many surfaces. Magic Eraser is just one the commercial names foam melamine goes under. Previously the compound was considered non-toxic but with the recent bout of animal deaths that theory is changing. China has used melamine as a herbicidal which seems to be how the pet foods became contaminated. As for me, I don't think I would want to feed any animal a product that is also a fire retardant. Not even if they are eating 5 alarm chili.