Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Car Seats: A Wake-Up Call for Drivers

Flame retardants used in car seats
News of cancer-causing material detection reported
It is recommended to ventilate frequently

What if the car drivers ride with their children contain carcinogens or substances that cause cancer? The results of a recent study on car seats published by the American Chemical Society are shocking to many. It is said that the chance of developing cancer increases every time drivers and passengers inhale chemicals produced inside a car.

In particular, it is said that when the temperature inside a car is high, the concentration of cancer-causing chemicals becomes higher. Accordingly, experts advise that when staying in a car for long periods, open the windows and ventilate frequently. Additionally, when parking outdoors, it was suggested to park in the shade and slightly open the window.

For almost all car seat foams

The American Chemical Society mentioned tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate, known as TCIPP. Tris phosphate is a commonly used flame retardant additive in polyurethane foam and is also used in almost all automotive seat foams today.

The American Chemical Society surveyed 155 participants who were driving cars made after 2015 to determine how much tris phosphate was found in car cabins. Because temperature was thought to affect the results, 101 tests were conducted in winter and 54 in summer.

The concentration of Tris phosphate is higher in warm temperatures

The results were very shocking. 99% of all vehicles had traces of Tris phosphate in the air. At warm temperatures, the concentration of Tris phosphate in the air was two to five times higher. This emission from the seat foam and other internal components increased as heat was applied. Seat foam samples collected from 51 different vehicles showed a direct link between the flame retardants in the cushions and chemicals in the air inside the vehicle.

In other words, the more trisphosphate goes into the seat foam, the higher the concentration in the air tends to be. A study by the American Chemical Society found tris phosphate ranging from 0.2 to 11,600 nanograms per gram. One nanogram is one billionth of a gram, so you can consider it a minimal amount. However, a 2023 toxicology report found that rats exposed to tris phosphate were more likely to develop cancer. Therefore, even exposure to small amounts can be enough to cause problems.

More research is needed on chemicals related to cars

Meanwhile, Patrick Morrison, director of health, safety, and medical affairs at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), said, “Flame retardants made of hazardous chemicals do little to prevent fires, but only create more flames and release toxic substances.” He also urged the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to revise its car interior flammability standards.

The Green Science Policy Institute advised, “Drivers can reduce car’s exposure to flame retardants by opening the windows and parking in the shade.” Additionally, the institute concluded, “What is needed is to reduce the amount of flame retardants used in cars in the first place.” Furthermore, it added, “More research is needed to understand the chemicals involved in cars fully.”