According to one of the recent studies published by Environmental Science & Technology, the quality of cars is dangerous. The finding shows that drivers and passengers are potentially at a high risk of exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.The study, which covered 30 states, looked at the cabin air quality of 101 gas, electric, and hybrid cars from the 2015 to 2022 model years. Surprisingly, TCIPP, a flame retardant that is presently being looked into by the US National Toxicology Program for possible carcinogenic qualities, tested positive in 99% of the autos. The majority of cars also included two more flame retardants, TCEP and TDCIPP, all of which are known to cause cancer. TDCPP is a chemical that is added to materials to help reduce the spread of fire.Rebecca Hoehn, the lead researcher and Toxicology scientist at Duke University highlights the findings of the study, saying that an average driver spends at least an hour in the car every day, which is raising concerns for individuals with longer commutes and child passengers, who are vulnerable due to high inhalation rates. Research further claims that it has identified that seat foam is one of the primary sources of cancer-causing compounds in the cabin air. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the flame retardants, added to meet safety standards established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the 1970s remained unchanged despite advances, raising concerns about outdated regulations.Health concerns associated with flame retardantsAs per experts, flame retardants have caused severe neurological damage, hormone disruption, and cancer. A significant concern is the bioaccumulation of certain flame retardants in humans, leading to persistent, chronic health issues as levels of these toxic substances increase within the body over time.
