Researchers discovered that Americans’ cars are a source of carcinogenic chemicals. On Tuesday, the peer-reviewed scientific journal Environmental Science and Technology released a paper titled “Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature.”
According to the study, Americans breathe in chemicals from their vehicle’s flame retardants. The chemicals can cause developmental neurotoxicity, thyroid hormone dysregulation, and even cancer.
Flame retardant chemicals are intentionally used in electronics, furnishings, and building materials
Flame retardants contain a variety of compounds, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were widely used in automobiles until the early 2000s, as well as alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs).
The federal government requires a certain level of flame retardant in cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated the use of flame retardants in the 1970s.
“Flame retardant (FR) chemicals are intentionally used in electronics, furnishings, and building materials to meet flammability standards,” according to the study.
“Most [flame retardants] are used in an additive manner (i.e., not chemically bound), and many are semivolatile, indicating that they can be present in both the gas phase and partially in the condensed phase (e.g., particles and surfaces), depending on environmental conditions.”
Americans who drive professionally or have long commutes may be more vulnerable to chemical exposure.
“These findings highlight that commuters are likely to be exposed to [flame retardants], especially those with longer commutes or those who drive vehicles full time as part of their employment,” the paper read.
“In addition, children, who breathe a greater amount of air per kg body weight compared to adults, would also be at risk of greater exposures for equivalent commuting times.”
Drivers and passengers in warmer states may be at a higher risk of inhaling flame retardants. However, researchers believe that rolling down car windows, shutting off the air conditioning, and parking in covered garages can help decrease exposure to harmful compounds.
“Increasing ventilation by opening vehicle windows and avoiding recirculating interior cabin air may also reduce exposures,” the study said. “However, the greatest reduction in exposure from vehicle air would come from significantly reducing the amount of FRs added to personal vehicles.”