A study shows... Are there carcinogenic substances inside your cars?

2024-06-24 2024-06-24T18:51:42Z

Arabia Weather - In the United States, flame retardants are used in foams and covers of automobile seats and other parts of the interior, in accordance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 302. Previous studies have shown that exposure to some flame retardants can cause health problems such as neurological and hormonal disorders and cancer-related deaths. .

A new study shows whether there are carcinogenic substances inside the car?

A new study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology revealed that the air inside the cabins of some 2015 and later car models is contaminated with flame retardants. Researchers from Duke University and the Green Science Policy Institute found that levels of flame retardants were two to five times higher in the summer than in the winter.

In the study, researchers asked 101 US citizens who owned 2015 or newer cars to hang a silicone negative sample on the rearview mirror for seven days, and used these samples to measure various pollutants in the air, including brominated flame retardants and organophosphates (OPEs).

The scientists reported that OPEs were the most common fire retardants detected by negative samples. OPEs are increasingly used as flame retardants and plasticizers in various materials inside cars, such as foam in headliners, seats and electronics, said Heather M. Stapleton, a professor at Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment.

Stapleton added that the increased use of plastics in our daily lives increases our exposure to these chemicals, especially inside the car where space is relatively small.

Regarding potential carcinogens, tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) had a detection frequency of 99% with cabin air measurements ranging from 0.2 to 11,600 ng/g of samples. The team found that TCIPP is the predominant fire retardant in car seat foam. Stapleton explained that TCIPP is widely used in some textiles, building insulation, and furniture, and has become more popular after the phaseout of TDCIPPT, which is considered a possible human carcinogen.

Increased concentrations of flame retardants in cars during the summer... health risks and preventive solutions

Air concentrations contaminated with flame retardants are a bigger problem during the summer, as researchers tested about half of the cars included in the study during the summer and winter and the results showed that fire retardant concentrations inside vehicle cabins were two to five times higher in the summer than in the winter.

It was also found that the presence of TCIPP in seat foam led to average concentrations of flame retardants in the air rising about fourfold in the winter and ninefold during the summer. Stapleton explained that the chemicals are emitted from plastics at higher rates as temperatures rise, leading to increased levels in the car's air. , especially in warm areas.

Stapleton noted that people entering these cars will breathe air contaminated with flame retardants, exposing them to higher levels of these substances. She expressed her hope that this research would attract more attention to the use of these chemicals in personal vehicles and the risks they may pose to human health, noting that there are no studies proving that flame retardants in car seats help save lives, but rather increase the risk of fire by producing more. From smoke and toxic chemicals.

To reduce the risk of exposure to chemicals inside cars, Stapleton recommended ventilating the car, especially during the summer, and parking the car in the shade or using sunscreen to reduce the car's interior temperature. He also advised opening the car windows and ventilating the air before driving, and turning on the air conditioner to cool the car before riding.

Douglas A. expressed Miller, a radiation oncologist, had a similar opinion, noting the importance of using outside air rather than recirculating air inside the vehicle when heating or cooling to reduce exposure to flame retardants. He added that this research highlights the potential environmental risks from chemicals used in vehicles, noting the need for more research to update regulations regarding requirements for materials in vehicles and develop safer alternatives.