About that 'new car smell'
...what
are we breathing?
A recent study by Michigan environmental group contends drivers and passengers
are breathing dangerous chemicals found in car interiors.
The Ecology
Center study - Toxic
at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars & the Need for Safe Alternatives
- reports
that PBDEs, used as fire retardants, and phthalates, used primarily to
soften PVC plastics (and partly responsible for "new car smell"),
are found in dangerous amounts in dust and windshield film samples.
Drivers and passengers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation
and contact with dust, according to the report. 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 also found that the sun's heat and UV light increase toxicity
inside vehicles. UV exposure from parking in the sun creates a favorable
environment for chemical breakdown, causing PBDE flame retardants to become
even more dangerous. According to the study, solar exposure in cars can
be 5 times higher than in homes or offices.
The report suggested
that car owners take these steps to reduce the release and breakdown of
these chemicals:
• use
solar reflectors in windshield or rear window
• ventilate car interiors, drive with
the windows open, especially newer vehicles
• park outside of sunlight whenever
possible
• using
spray cleaning solutions to get rid of the smell just adds to the problem
The Ecology Center
collected windshield film and dust samples from 2000 to 2005 model cars
made by 11 leading auto manufacturers.
The group found Volvo was found to have the lowest levels of phthalates
and the second-lowest levels of PBDEs, which it said made Volvo the industry
leader in terms of indoor air quality. Volvo also has the toughest policies
for phasing out these chemicals.
Other auto manufacturers had more mixed records on the two types of chemicals, according to the group's survey. For example, Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai had the lowest level of PBDEs, but the highest level of phthalates.
The group said it was told by Ford officials that the auto manufacturer has eliminated PBDEs from "interior components that customers may come into contact with." Ford had among the lowest level of PBDEs in its vehicles, and General Motors and BMW vehicles also had lower-than-average levels for all chemicals tested. But Mercedes, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru had higher-than-average levels of both PBDEs and phthalates.
In response to the study, one industry group defended the use of PBDEs as an important contributor to vehicle safety.
The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum said in a statement that PBDEs known as Deca-BDE have been extensively studied in the U.S. and Europe -- including a 10-year-long risk assessment -- and found to be safe for continued use.
"If automobile manufacturers follow the guidance in the report, it could result in lowering fire safety for the public, as well as promoting the use of unidentified alternative substances about which very little may be known," said the group's statement.
Auto manufacturers have already agreed to phase out two of the three flame-retardant chemicals cited in the report, according to Eron Shosteck, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. The remaining chemical has been studied by the European Union for 10 years and has been proven safe, Shosteck said.
In lieu of legislative
action at the federal level, at least 9 U.S. states (California, Hawaii,
Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington)
have passed laws banning the two worst forms of PBDEs, namely penta and
octa. Additional legislation is being considered in at least 6 other states,
as well as revisions of existing legislation to extend PBDE phase-outs
to all uses of deca form, including automotive.
For more information visit the Report
Homepage
...................................... ...... ........ .......... ................................... eartheasy
......... .....top
About that 'new car smell'
Eartheasy.com ©2006 - 2007
All Rights Reserved
