Study Reveals Why Travelling in Your Car Can Possibly Cause Cancer
Study Reveals Why Travelling in Your Car Can Possibly Cause Cancer
Published in Environmental Science & Technology, this groundbreaking research delved into the cabin air of 101 electric, gas and hybrid cars across 30 states, spanning model years from 2015 to 2022.
10 May 2024
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often retreat to the solace of our cars, considering them safe havens from the outside world, especially during summers as it makes the commute with air conditioning so easy, and is a huge sigh of relief.
But what if the air inside those very vehicles we trust so much is not as clean as we believe? A recent study has sent shockwaves through the automotive industry, revealing alarming levels of cancer-causing chemicals lurking in the cabin space air of our cars.
Published in Environmental Science & Technology, this groundbreaking research delved into the cabin air of 101 electric, gas and hybrid cars across 30 states, spanning model years from 2015 to 2022. The findings were nothing short of alarming: an overwhelming 99% of the vehicles harboured a toxic flame retardant known as TCIPP, currently under scrutiny by the U.S. National Toxicology Program for its potential carcinogenicity.
Lead researcher Rebecca Hoehn, a toxicology scientist at Duke University, underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasising that the average driver spends roughly an hour in their car daily, heightening the risk of exposure. “It’s particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults,” Hoehn warned.
The study pinpointed seat foam as the primary culprit behind the release of these cancer-causing compounds into the cabin air. Most cars also have two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are considered carcinogenic. Shockingly, these chemicals, including TCIPP, TDCIPP and TCEP, are not mere bystanders but active participants in a dangerous dance of toxicity, linked not only to cancer but also to neurological and reproductive harm as well.
What’s even more alarming is the seasonal variation observed in these chemical concentrations, with levels peaking during the summer months. As temperatures soar, so does the release of these hazardous substances from car materials, further exacerbating the risk to occupants and passengers in the car.
The implications extend beyond mere inconvenience; they strike at the heart of public health. Patrick Morrison, director of health, safety and medicine for the International Association of Fire Fighters, sounded the alarm, expressing concern over the contribution of flame retardants to the elevated cancer rates among firefighters. “Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic,” Morrison cautioned.
But amidst the grim findings, a glimmer of hope emerges for potential mitigation strategies.
Lydia Jahl, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute, suggested practical measures such as opening car windows and parking in shaded areas or garages to reduce exposure. However, she stressed the urgent need for systemic change, advocating for a reduction in the use of flame retardants and materials of such kind used in the vehicle interiors. The study’s revelations have sparked a critical reassessment of safety regulations governing flame retardant usage in vehicle interiors. The outdated standards, such as the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302, adopted in the 1970s, are under scrutiny, with calls for a re-evaluation of their efficacy considering mounting evidence of health risks. Such effort needs to be implemented in all countries which manufacture cars with these materials in seats.
India needs to be made aware of these carcinogenic chemicals emitted by car interiors so that this issue can be combatted during the scorching summer heatwave all across the country now, as it becomes even more imperative to take immediate action.
Public health and safety comes first. Even if people are made aware this can be avoided for now, by taking steps to ensure minimal contact with these emissions. As we navigate the roads of progress, one thing is abundantly clear: the air inside our cars should not be a silent accomplice to illness. Commuting to work or ferrying children to school shouldn’t come with an invisible health tax. It’s time to roll down the windows of change and drive towards a future where our vehicles are not just symbols of mobility but sanctuaries of safety.
