Flame retardants linked to neurological and reproductive harms.
Highest levels of toxic chemicals found in summer due to warmer weather causing higher release from car materials.
New study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds 99% of cars contain cancer-causing flame retardant TCIPP, and two more carcinogenic flame retardants TDCIPP and TCEP.
Opening windows, parking in shade or garages may help reduce exposure.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology has found that people are breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while in their cars. The source of the cancer-causing compounds in cabin air is seat foam, which contains flame retardants to meet an outdated flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit. The study analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid cars with a model year between 2015 and 2022 and discovered that 99% of them contained the flame retardant TCIPP, which is under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are considered carcinogenic, were also found in most cars. Flame retardants are linked to neurological and reproductive harms as well. The levels of toxic flame retardants were highest in the summer due to warmer weather causing a higher release of chemicals from car materials. Researchers suggest that opening car windows and parking in the shade or garages may help reduce exposure to toxic flame retardants. Lydia Jahl, a study author, emphasized that the real solution is reducing the amount of flame retardants added to cars in the first place.
A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that Americans are exposed to carcinogenic chemicals from flame retardants in their cars.
Americans are breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while in their cars.
The federal government requires a certain level of flame retardants in vehicles due to flammability standards.
Commuters, especially those with longer commutes or who drive professionally, may be at higher risk of exposure.
Children are also at risk due to breathing a greater amount of air per kg body weight compared to adults.
Drivers and passengers in warmer states may face a greater risk of exposure.
Opening vehicle windows and avoiding recirculating interior cabin air can help reduce exposure to flame retardant chemicals.
Significantly reducing the amount of flame retardants added to personal vehicles is the greatest way to reduce exposure from vehicle air.
Accuracy
The chemicals, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs), can cause developmental neurotoxicity, thyroid hormone dysregulation, and cancer.
TCIPP is under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are considered carcinogenic, were also found in most cars.
The federal government requires a certain level of flame retardants in vehicles due to flammability standards.
Flame retardants are linked to neurological and reproductive harms as well.
Significantly reducing the amount of flame retardants added to personal vehicles is the greatest way to reduce exposure from vehicle air.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains a few informal fallacies and an appeal to authority. It presents the findings of a study as evidence for the presence and dangers of flame retardant chemicals in cars without providing direct quotes from the study itself. Additionally, it suggests that certain actions can reduce exposure to these chemicals, which is an argument from authority based on expert opinion.
]The federal government requires a level of flame retardants in vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated the use of flame retardants in the 1970s.[/quote],
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that people are breathing in cancer-causing chemicals while in their cars.
The study analyzed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas, and hybrid cars with a model year between 2015 and 2022 and discovered that 99% of them contained the flame retardant TCIPP.
TCIPP is under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are considered carcinogenic, were also found in most cars.
Flame retardants are linked to neurological and reproductive harms as well.
The levels of toxic flame retardants were highest in the summer due to warmer weather causing a higher release of chemicals from car materials.
The source of the cancer-causing compounds in cabin air is seat foam, which contains these chemicals to meet an outdated flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit.
Researchers suggest that opening car windows and parking in the shade or garages may help reduce exposure to toxic flame retardants.
Lydia Jahl, a study author, emphasized that the real solution is reducing the amount of flame retardants added to cars in the first place.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article reports on a study that found high levels of cancer-causing flame retardants in car cabin air. The author provides quotes from experts expressing concerns about the health risks and calls for action to reduce exposure. However, the author also makes editorializing statements such as 'considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue.' and 'commuting to work shouldn’t come with a cancer risk.' These statements are not factual and add emotional manipulation to the article. The author also selectively reports details of the study, focusing only on the cancer-causing properties of the flame retardants without mentioning any potential benefits or context. Additionally, while sources are mentioned in the article, they are not directly quoted or linked within the text.
commuting to work shouldn’t come with a cancer risk.
considering the average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue.
A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology raises concern over drivers' exposure to flame retardant chemicals used on car seats.
The study found that vehicles are likely important sources of human exposure to potentially harmful flame retardants.
Those most likely to be exposed are commuters, full-time vehicle drivers, and children. Children have greater risk than adults for equivalent commuting times.
Singla and 100 other car owners placed silicone bands in their cars for a week to measure the chemical levels inside. The concentration of these chemicals was two to five times higher in summer compared to winter.
Researchers detected flame retardants in every car tested, with TCIPP found in 99% of the cars.
The automakers’ group says ‘approved flame retardants’ are included in vehicles to meet government flammability standards.
A 2023 U.S. National Toxicology Report found evidence of carcinogenic activity for the most frequently found chemical in the study (TCIPP) when heated to decomposition.
The study’s researchers and others call for a re-evaluation of the federal flammability standard, similar to how upholstered furniture standards were revised in 2021.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sets those standards, did not respond to CBS News’ request for comment.
The International Association of Fire Fighters says most car fires are a result of engine fires or accidents and not from the interior of the car but still poses a risk to its members.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(70%)
The article does not make any editorializing or pontification statements by the author. However, it does use emotional manipulation by describing the potential health risks of flame retardant chemicals as 'toxic' and 'potentially harmful'. The article also uses selective reporting by only mentioning the potential negative effects of flame retardants without discussing their purpose or benefits. Additionally, there is a lack of disclosure regarding the sources for some statements in the article.
Researchers detected flame retardants in every car tested and specifically found TCIPP – which the National Institutes of Health says releases toxic fumes ‘when heated to decomposition’ – in 99% of the cars tested.
Singla told CBS News she ‘never realized there could be toxic chemicals inside her car.’
For now, the study’s researchers recommend rolling car windows down when you first get in to let the air out and to wash your hands after being in a car.
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when it mentions the study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology and quotes Lydia Jahl, a senior scientist at the Green Science Policy Institute. The article also uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that 'researchers detected flame retardants in every car tested' and 'it was found that the concentration of those chemicals was two to five times higher in the summer compared to the winter'. However, no specific fallacies were identified as there are no false statements or invalid reasoning presented.
]The study published Tuesday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology[
']researchers detected flame retardants in every car tested[', ']it was found that the concentration of those chemicals was two to five times higher in the summer compared to the winter[
Study found that 99% of cars contained a toxic flame retardant, TCIPP, in the cabin air
TCIPP is under investigation as a potential carcinogen
Source of the flame retardant is seat foam
Drivers and passengers breathe in potentially cancerous chemicals while in their cars
99% of cars also contained two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are also considered carcinogenic
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(5%)
The article makes several statements that could be considered deceptive or misleading. First, the title and body of the article imply that all cars contain cancer-causing chemicals due to seat foam, but it is not clear from the study data provided in the article how many cars contained levels of these chemicals above a certain threshold that would pose a health risk. Second, while the article mentions that flame retardants have been added to seat foam to meet requirements set by NHTSA's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302, it does not mention that these requirements were put in place to reduce the risk of fires in cars. This omission could be seen as an attempt to downplay the importance of flame retardants in car safety. Third, while the article mentions that people can reduce their exposure to toxic flame retardants by opening their car windows and parking in the shade or garages, it does not mention that these measures may not be effective in reducing exposure levels significantly. Lastly, while the article quotes experts expressing concerns about the health risks of flame retardants and calling for updates to NHTSA's flammability standard, it does not provide any context about the potential benefits or drawbacks of such a change.
Researchers found that 99% of the cars contained a flame retardant called TCIPP, which is currently under investigation by the U.S. National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen.
Drivers and passengers are breathing in potentially cancerous chemicals while in their cars, a new study finds.
People can reduce their exposure to the toxic chemicals by opening their car windows and parking in the shade.
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