When we think of vehicle-derived air pollution, most of us picture exhaust fumes and rubber flecks from worn-out car tires. But according to new research, as many as 99 percent of cars also contain potentially carcinogenic flame retardants in their seat foam and other interior surfaces.Flame retardants are added to car seat foam to meet safety standards put in place by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
It's particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air pound for pound than adults.'The team found that flame retardant air pollution was particularly concentrated during the summer—as much as five times higher—when warmer weather increases the rate of evaporation of these chemicals.