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Volvo found to have lease toxic car interiors in recent
study
A first-of-its-kind study recently released by the Ecology
Center revealed new information about toxic chemical
exposure in automobile interiors. PBDEs, used as fire
retardants, and phthalates, used primarily to soften
PVC plastics (and partly responsible for "new car
smell"), were found in dangerous amounts in dust
and windshield film samples. Drivers and passengers
are exposed through inhalation and contact with dust.
These groups of chemicals have been linked to birth
defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature
births and early puberty in laboratory animals, among
other serious health problems.
The
study — Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars &
the Need for Safe Alternatives — found that chemicals
used to make seat cushions, armrests, floor coverings,
wire insulation and other interior auto components are
more rapidly released into the air in extreme temperatures.
Since automobiles have 360-degree windows surrounding
the interior, cars can heat up to 190 degrees F. In
addition, UV exposure from parking in the sun creates
a favorable environment for chemical breakdown, causing
PBDE flame retardants to become even more dangerous.
Thus, solar exposure in cars can be 5 times higher than
in homes or offices.
"We can no longer rely just on seatbelts and airbags
to keep us safe in cars," said Jeff Gearhart, the
Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign Director who co-authored
the report. "Our research shows that autos are
chemical reactors, releasing toxins before we even turn
on the ignition. There are safer alternatives to these
chemicals, and innovative companies that develop them
first will likely be rewarded by consumers."
The Ecology Center collected windshield film and dust
samples from 2000 to 2005 model cars made by 11 leading
auto manufacturers. Volvo was
found to have the lowest levels of phthalates and the
second lowest levels of PBDEs, making it the industry
leader in terms of indoor air quality. Volvo
also has the toughest policies for phasing out these
chemicals. Other manufacturers claim they have eliminated
PBDEs and phthalates from particular applications. For
example, Ford reports that it has eliminated PBDEs from "interior components that customers may come into
contact with." Honda also reports that it has eliminated
most of its phthalate-containing PVC in its vehicles.
Other manufacturers tested include BMW, Chrysler, GM,
Hyundai, Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Both PBDEs and phthalates are considered chemicals of
concern due to their toxicity and ubiquity in the environment.
Levels of PBDEs found in the breast milk of American
women and some fetuses are approaching levels shown
to impair learning and cause behavioral problems in
lab mice. (CONTINUE...)
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