In a newly published study in Environmental Science: Advances, researchers from RECETOX demonstrated that temperature and seasonal changes significantly influence the amount of flame retardants released from materials inside car interiors. The study is the first of its kind to simultaneously measure the concentrations of these substances in air, dust, and the interior materials themselves. The results show that some chemicals, such as phosphate flame retardant TCEP, reach concentrations up to 700 times higher in summer car air than in winter.
Flame retardants, which are used to reduce the flammability of plastics, foams, and textiles, are commonly found not only in furniture and electronics, such as in sofas, but also in car interiors. Unlike our homes, however, cars are exposed to extreme conditions: in summer, the temperature inside a parked car in the sun can be 20–50 °C higher than outside. These substances can be released from materials into the surrounding environment, accumulate in dust that we come into contact with, or remain in the air we breathe. Although the use of flame retardants is based on safety requirements to reduce flammability, growing evidence shows that some of these chemicals may harm human health and the environment.
“This study found clear seasonal differences in the chemical concentrations in air inside a car. In summer, the levels of some phosphate flame retardants were up to 700× higher than in winter. Temperature has a clear influence the behavior of these substances and their release rate from the car interior materials (seat fabrics, foams and plastics). The highest concentrations can be expected in summer, especially in the first moments of car use. An interesting finding, however, was that temperature did not have such a strong effect on dust concentrations, which remained high even during winter and therefore better reflect what we are exposed to in cars in the long term,” explains the lead author of the study Petra Svobodová.
Simultaneous measurement of air, dust, and the interior materials themselves made it possible to better understand chemical sources. For example, TCIPP, another phosphate flame retardant which was also elevated in summer air, was measured at the highest concentrations in the dashboard material, where temperatures under direct sunlight can reach up to 80 °C.
We recommend several measures to reduce exposure to these chemicals in cars: proper ventilation before driving, not only in summer months, regular cleaning of the interior (vacuuming, dust wiping), protecting car interior from high temperatures, keeping the air conditioning in good condition, and also washing hands after using the car.
More information: DOI: 10.1039/D5VA00228A
Persistent pesticides continue to pollute our air decades after their ban, a new long-term study at the Czech National Atmospheric Observatory reveals. Researchers found that concentrations of legacy organochlorine pesticides have stopped declining and remain in the environment due to secondary sources like soil, while some current-use pesticides linger in the atmosphere years after prohibition.
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant that has been widely used since the late 1960s to reduce the flammability of various materials. This white crystalline powder found its primary application in expanded polystyrene and extruded polystyrene foams used in building insulation, accounting for approximately 90% of global HBCD use. Minor applications included textile back-coatings, high-impact polystyrene for electronics casings, and various consumer products.
