The materials in car cabins can release high levels of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) - a group of potentially endocrine disrupting chemicals - into the surrounding air, according to a new study published in Science of the Total Environment.
In short:
- Nine different SVOCs were detected in the air and dust of car interiors, including at least 5 chemicals that had never previously been reported in car cabin air.
- The concentration of SVOCs increased at higher temperatures, with particle levels increasing as much as 40,000 times at 80°C.
- Turning on the ventilation system effectively reduced chemical exposure, lowering the level of SVOC gasses by as much as 90%.
Key quote:
“It is recommended to ventilate a warm car before entering and have the ventilation on during driving, as both temperature and ventilation have a significant impact on SVOC levels.”
Why this matters:
Because of their roles as flame retardants and plasticizers, the same SVOCs present in car interiors are used in many everyday textiles and plastics. SVOCs are not chemically bound to their materials, causing them to release throughout the entire lifetime of whatever product they’re in. While this study points to steps individuals can take to reduce their own exposure, the presence of previously unreported SVOCs highlights the need for more testing and regulation that accounts for consumers’ exposure to large mixtures of potentially harmful chemicals.
Related EHN coverage:
- Portable air filters in daycares can reduce indoor pollution by 83%: Study
- Air pollution from household products is cutting people’s lives short
More resources:
Lexén, Jenny et al. for Science of the Total Environment vol. 947. July 6, 2024
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