[Pharmwaste] Toxic car interiors - Chemical dangers may lurk in new cars, children's seats

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/chemical-dangers-may-lurk-new/stor
y.aspx?guid=%7B70D0674F-CF46-44FA-ADC7-CBE608B05503%7D&dist=msr_1

CONSUMER WATCH

Toxic car interiors

Chemical dangers may lurk in new cars, children's seats

By Ruth Mantell, MarketWatch

Last update: 7:28 p.m. EDT July 22, 2008 WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) --
Love that new-car smell? The bad news is that chemicals contributing to
that smell can be harmful, and have been linked to long-term health
problems. The good news is that consumers have a new guide to figure out
which cars are safer.
The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based advocacy group, published its
second annual guide to toxic chemicals in cars and car seats for
children on Tuesday. 

Video: How Healthy Is Your Car?

That new-car smell could actually indicate a form of "indoor pollution."
Paul Lin reports. (July 23)"We encourage people to buy a car that has a
healthier interior," said Jeff Gearhart, research director for the
Ecology Center. "We think consumers can have a big impact on the
market." 

The report focuses on substances such as bromine, chlorine, lead and
heavy metals. The Ecology Center sampled parts that are most likely to
be touched or contribute to human exposure such as steering wheels,
armrest/center consoles and seat fronts. 

"Since the average American spends more than 1.5 hours in a car every
day, toxic chemical exposure inside vehicles is becoming a major source
of potential indoor air pollution," according to the report. 
Dust and inhalation are the most likely routes to exposure to the
chemicals, Gearhart said. Children can consume more dust than adults as
they are more likely to put their hands in their mouths.
 
"The important thing to consider for any exposure is that we are exposed
to the chemicals in our homes, offices and cars," Gearhart said.
"Vehicles are an important contributor to overall exposure to these
chemicals. If you can, get a vehicle with lower exposure." 

Details

Overall, the investigation found top healthier picks for individual
vehicle models from Acura, Smart, Chevy, BMW, Honda and Toyota. Some
individual model picks of higher concern were from Mitsubishi, Suzuki,
BMW, VW, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercedes, Kia and Audi. 
    
"You'll see some of the vehicle lines within a manufacturer will be very
good, and others will be very bad," Gearhart said. "They have plants
around the world and there are sourcing issues." 

Kristen Kinley, spokeswoman with Ford Motor Co., which makes Lincoln,
wrote in an email that there is no evidence linking health issues, such
as cancer, to the indoor air quality of a vehicle due to volatile
organic compounds and other chemicals used to make car parts. 

"That said, however, Ford continually takes steps to improve the safety
of its vehicles, as well as reducing the impact our products have on the
environment," Kinley wrote. "We are moving toward renewable and natural
materials for our car parts, such as seat foams, fabrics, plastics,
etc." 

Ecology Center said top individual models for car seats for infants came
from Graco and Evenflo, while individual models of higher concern came
from Maxi-Cosi and Orbit. 

Joseph Hei, chief executive of Orbit Baby, said the Ecology Center's
data and testing is flawed, and that the company samples all of its
product lots.
 
"We have our own tests that we believe refute their results," Hei said.
"We're really proud of the results we've achieved with things like
fabrics. We've made sure they are safe." 

Consumers can see ratings for vehicles and car seats at
www.HealthyCar.org. Visit the site. 

"While the best car and child car seat manufacturers are starting to pay
attention, far too many companies have not yet phased out these
dangerous chemicals," Gearhart said. 

The report added that average child car seat scores improved 28% overall
in the last year. For vehicles, Mazda, Nissan and General Motors showed
improvement, with General Motors's average vehicle rank improving 27%. 

"We were happy to see an American automaker addressing these issues,"
Gearhart said. "When companies aggressively work with their suppliers
they can eliminate the use of these chemicals." 

Here are details from Ecology Center about the harmful substances:
 
Bromine is associated with the use of brominated flame retardants --
some of which have been associated with thyroid problems, learning and
memory impairment, decreased fertility, behavioral changes, and other
health problems. 

Chlorine is associated with the use of polyvinyl chloride that often
contains phthalates -- chemicals that have been linked to decreased
fertility, preterm deliveries and damage to the liver, testes, thyroid,
ovaries, kidneys and blood. 

Lead is sometimes used as an additive in automotive plastics, and
exposure can lead to a brain damage, and problems with the kidneys,
blood, nerves, and reproductive system. 

Ruth Mantell is a MarketWatch reporter based in Washington.


http://www.healthycar.org/home.php


Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032