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A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals a startling discovery: the air within personal vehicles is contaminated with harmful flame retardants, some of which are known or suspected to cause cancer. This revelation sheds light on a significant public health concern, particularly for those who spend considerable time commuting or have children as passengers.
Lead author Rebecca Hoehn, a scientist at Duke University, underscores the severity of the issue: “Our research found that interior materials release harmful chemicals into the cabin air of our cars. Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue.”
The study examined 101 cars, all from model year 2015 or newer, across the United States. Shockingly, 99% of these vehicles contained tris (1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), a flame retardant currently under scrutiny as a potential carcinogen by the U.S. National Toxicology Program. Additionally, most cars harbored other organophosphate ester flame retardants, including tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), both recognized as carcinogens under California Proposition 65.
The presence of these chemicals poses significant risks, with links to neurological and reproductive harm beyond their carcinogenic potential. Furthermore, warmer weather exacerbates the issue, as higher temperatures increase off-gassing from interior components like seat foam, which can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit inside vehicles.
Patrick Morrison from the International Association of Fire Fighters highlights the concerns regarding flame retardants’ contribution to elevated cancer rates among firefighters: “Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires for most uses and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic for victims, and especially for first responders.”
Morrison urges the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to modernize its flammability standard, echoing California’s successful update a decade ago, which reduced flame retardant levels in furniture without compromising fire safety.
Lydia Jahl, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute and co-author of the study, emphasizes the need for action: “Commuting to work shouldn’t come with a cancer risk, and children shouldn’t breathe in chemicals that can harm their brains on their way to school.”
While opening windows and parking in shaded areas may mitigate exposure, the ultimate solution lies in reducing the use of flame retardants in vehicle manufacturing processes. With mounting evidence of their detrimental health effects, urgent measures are needed to safeguard public health and mitigate the risks posed by these pervasive chemicals.
