People are inhaling cancer-causing chemicals while inside their cars, a new study has discovered. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, the research analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid cars with model years ranging from 2015 to 2022.
The study found that 99% of these cars contained a flame retardant called TCIPP, which is being investigated by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen.
Additionally, most cars were found to have two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, both of which are considered carcinogenic. These flame retardants are also linked to neurological and reproductive harms, according to scientists.
“Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue,” said Rebecca Hoehn, lead researcher and toxicology scientist at Duke University, as reported by People.
“It’s particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults,” she added.
The study revealed that the levels of toxic flame retardants were highest in the summer because heat increases the release of chemicals from the car materials.
Researchers identified the source of these cancer-causing compounds in the cabin air as seat foam.
Car manufacturers add these chemicals to seat foam and other materials to meet an “outdated” flammability standard that offers no proven fire-safety benefit, they explained.
Patrick Morrison, director of health, safety, and medicine for the International Association of Fire Fighters, stated, “Firefighters are concerned that flame retardants contribute to their very high cancer rates.
Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires for most uses and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic for victims, and especially for first responders.”
“I urge NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) to update their flammability standard to be met without flame retardant chemicals inside vehicles,” he added.
In the study, researchers also emphasized that these toxic flame retardants serve no real benefit inside vehicles.
Lydia Jahl, study author and senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute, suggested that people might be able to reduce their exposure to toxic flame retardants by opening car windows and parking in the shade or in garages.
“But what’s really needed is reducing the amount of flame retardants being added to cars in the first place. Commuting to work shouldn’t come with a cancer risk, and children shouldn’t breathe in chemicals that can harm their brains on their way to school,” she added.
