CORDIS: Is new car smell carcinogenic?

There’s a hidden danger lurking in car interiors that we’re not even aware of, says new study.

Running late to work because of traffic? Hazardous road conditions? Concerned exhaust fumes are polluting the planet? These could be the least of your worries next time you’re behind the wheel. According to research published in the journal ‘Environmental Science & Technology’, we should be more troubled about the chemicals found in nearly all car interiors. A research team in the United States and Canada warns that the air we’re breathing in cabins is potentially cancerous.

Take a ride on the toxic side

The researchers analysed 101 car models made after 2015. In 99 % of the tested cars, they found that the air inside may be filled with potential carcinogens in the form of flame retardant chemicals. Such flame retardants are used in seat foam and other interior surfaces. Remember the joy you felt from the new car smell? At least some of that scent could be due to toxic carcinogens. These chemicals are known or suspected to cause cancer. They are also linked to neurological and reproductive issues, and even lower IQ in children. What’s more, the harmful fumes released into the air remain for years – irrespective of whether a car was older or newer. “Our research found that interior materials release harmful chemicals into the cabin air of our cars,” commented lead author Rebecca Hoehn, environmental scientist at Duke University in the United States, in a press release. “Considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue. It’s particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults.” The problem becomes much worse during the summer months when cabins reach very high temperatures. As a result, these flame retardants break down and pollute the air. The chemicals’ rate of evaporation goes way up.

Fine line between fire safety and health

“You may be able to reduce your exposure to flame retardants in your car by opening your windows and parking in the shade,” explained co-author Lydia Jahl, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute in California. She added: “But what’s really needed is reducing the amount of flame retardants being added to cars in the first place. 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.”

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More information: European Commission