A recent study conducted by researchers from Duke University and the Green Science Policy Institute has found that the air inside the cabins of some model year 2015 or newer cars is contaminated with flame retardants. These flame retardants are frequently used in various parts of the vehicle cabin in accordance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 302. Previous research has linked exposure to certain flame retardants with health issues such as neurological problems, hormone disruption, and cancer-related death. The researchers discovered that levels of flame retardants in vehicle cabins were significantly higher in the summer compared to the winter, with organophosphate esters (OPEs) being the most commonly detected flame retardants.
The study recruited 101 U.S. citizens who owned a car with a model year of 2015 or newer to hang a silicone passive sampler in their vehicle for seven days. The researchers found that OPEs, particularly tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), were the dominant flame retardants detected in the car seat foam. TCIPP has been extensively used in textiles, building insulation, and furniture as a flame retardant, but recent studies suggest it may also be carcinogenic and neurotoxic. The presence of TCIPP in the foam resulted in higher concentrations of flame retardants in the air samplers, particularly in the summer months.
The researchers reported that flame retardant concentrations in vehicle cabins were two to five times higher in the summer compared to the winter, with levels of TCIPP in foam resulting in even greater increases in air sampler concentrations during the summer. The higher temperatures in the summer cause chemicals to be emitted from plastics at a higher rate, leading to increased levels of flame retardants in the cabin air. This poses potential health risks to individuals who are exposed to these chemicals, as they do not prevent materials from burning but only slow down the burning process, creating more smoke and toxic chemicals during a fire.
To reduce exposure to flame retardants in vehicle cabins, the researchers recommend ventilating the car, particularly in hot weather, and parking in shaded areas to lower the interior temperature. Opening windows and ventilating the car before driving can also help reduce exposure to these chemicals. Additionally, avoiding the use of recirculating air features in vehicles can further minimize exposure. The study highlights the importance of addressing fire safety in vehicles using alternative technologies and materials that do not contain potentially harmful compounds to protect drivers and passengers from potential health risks.
Dr. Douglas A. Miller, a radiation oncologist, emphasized the need for research to modernize regulations regarding materials used in vehicles to develop safer alternatives that do not pose health risks to individuals. Environmental exposures to harmful compounds in vehicle cabins could potentially lead to health issues, including cancer, among individuals who spend significant amounts of time driving or traveling in vehicles. Awareness of the risks associated with flame retardants in vehicle cabins is crucial, and further research is needed to identify and mitigate potential health hazards posed by these chemicals.