When we are in the car with the windows open, the exterior pollution is such that it can sometimes be extremely disturbing. But according to the conclusions of a new study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology and relayed by the New York Post, indoor air could be just as harmful. It could be filled with potentially carcinogenic substances in the form of flame retardant chemicals.
Concretely, researchers detected flame retardants in the passenger compartment of 101 cars, all from models dated 2015 or more recent. As they recalled, manufacturers use such flame retardants in seat foam and other interior materials to meet a federal flammability standard deemed “obsolete” And “without any proven fire safety benefit”.
“Considering that the average driver spends approximately one hour in the car each day, this is a significant public health issue. It is of particular concern for drivers on longer journeys as well as child passengers, who breathe more air than adults”, said lead author Rebecca Hoehn, a scientist at Duke University.
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Temperature impacts air quality
Of the cars tested, 99% contained a chemical known as tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate, a flame retardant that is currently under investigation by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as being potentially carcinogenic. Other chemicals found include tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate, two chemicals known to be carcinogens. Meanwhile, the researchers also examined cars in summer and winter and found that temperature had an impact on air quality. Warmer weather was linked to higher off-gassing of chemicals, due to high temperatures.
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Faced with this observation, the scientists behind this research hope that their results will encourage the updating of so-called obsolete flammability standards, so that manufacturers stop using these chemicals. They also advise all motorists to keep their car well ventilated by leaving the windows open as much as possible and to park in the shade.
