A recent study has confirmed that the chemicals commonly found inside vehicles can potentially lead to cancer.
Environmental Science & Technology, a respected scientific journal, published a study titled “Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature.” The study revealed that Americans are exposed to chemicals from flame retardants (FRs) present in vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2022. According to People, researchers discovered that 99% of tested vehicles contained a FR known as TCIPP, which is currently being investigated by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen.
Flame retardants are added to vehicles to meet flammability standards mandated by the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 302. The study examined how humans inhale these retardants by utilizing a simple silicone passive sampler attached to rearview mirrors of participants, collecting samples over seven days.
The study revealed that “Fifty-one of 101 participants collected a foam sample from a vehicle seat. Organophosphate esters (OPEs) were the most commonly detected FR class in the passive samplers, with TCIPP having a 99% detection frequency at levels ranging from 0.2 to 11,600 ng/g of sampler.” TCIPP was also found in the vehicle seat foam, and sampler concentrations were higher in summer compared to winter.
The presence of TCIPP in foam led to significantly higher median air sampler concentrations in winter and summer, indicating that FRs present in vehicle interiors, such as seat foam, contribute to OPE exposure, which is amplified in warmer temperatures. Environmental Science & Technology suggests exploring alternative chemical options.
As highlighted by People, Rebecca Hoehn, the lead researcher and toxicology scientist at Duke University, emphasized, “Given that the average driver spends about an hour in the car daily, this poses a substantial public health concern. It is especially worrisome for individuals with longer commutes and young passengers, who inhale more air per pound than adults.”
OPEs are commonly utilized in polyurethane foam, electronics, home furnishings, textiles, building materials, and vehicles. Research indicates that exposure to specific OPEs is linked to adverse effects on birth outcomes, reproductive health, and cancer development.
The report also notes that tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) has been associated with negative health impacts, including reduced fertility, altered thyroid hormone function, and cancer development, leading to its inclusion on the California EPA Prop 65 list in 2011.
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