[Pharmwaste] New-Car Smell: Find out How Toxic the Interior of Your New Car is

Fri Feb 17 11:16:37 EST 2012

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/299281/20120215/new-car-smell-toxic.htm

New-Car Smell: Find out How Toxic the Interior of Your New Car is

By Amir Khan
<http://www.ibtimes.com/archives/articles/reporters/amir-khan/> :
Subscribe to Amir's RSS feed
<http://www.ibtimes.com/rss/articles/reporters/amir-khan.rss>  

February 15, 2012 3:18 PM EST

Hop in a new 2012 Honda Civic and you'll be breathing easy; drive off a
car lot in a 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander and you'll choke on toxic fumes,
according to a new consumer's report that ranks pollution found in new
car interiors.

*	 
<http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2012/02/15/233338-find-out-
how-toxic-the-interior-of-your-new-car-is.jpg> 

Enlarge Close 

(Photo: Honda)
Consumer advocates HealthyStuff.org released its fourth annual ranking
of toxicity of new-car interiors that included over 200 vehicles
produced in 2011-12. The nonprofit group gave the Honda Civic (shown)
top rank while both Mitsubishi Outlander and the Chrysler 200 SC ranked
the worst in interior pollution.

Turns out that new-car smell can contain a toxic mix of chemicals that
are left over from manufacturing seats, steering wheels, dashboards and
armrests, according to consumer advocate HealthyStuff.org
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.php> .

The nonprofit group released its fourth annual ranking that included
over 200 vehicles produced in 2011-12. The group gave the Civic top rank
while both Outlander and the Chrysler
<http://www.ibtimes.com/topics/detail/359/chrysler/>  200 SC ranked the
worst for interior pollution.

The group tested for toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and
cancer-causing chemicals like benzene and brominated flame retardants. 

"Automobiles function as chemical reactors, creating one of the most
hazardous environments we spend time in," Jeff Gearhart, research
director at the Ecology Center, a non-profit organization in Ann Arbor,
Mich. that runs HealthyStuff.org, said in a press release
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/press.releases.php> .

The use of these chemicals declined since 2006, but many cars still
contain chemical levels that consumer advocates considered unsafe.
Advocates also said that there exists no mandatory testing or regulation
of the chemicals used in vehicle manufacturing.

"Consumers face a lack of information while they are car shopping," the
authors states in a report
<http://www.healthystuff.org/press.releases.php> issued Wednesday.

Joining the Civic in top ranking cars were the 2011 Toyota
<http://www.ibtimes.com/topics/detail/338/toyota/>  Prius and 2011 Honda
CR-Z. The advocates included in the worst picks the Kia Soul.

Of all the chemicals the researchers looked for, they found the biggest
decrease has been in the use of plastic made with polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), which the study authors deemed the most toxic of all plastics.

"During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as
residents and wildlife in surrounding neighborhoods, may be exposed to
the vinyl chloride monomer and/or dioxin, both of which are likely
carcinogens," the study authors wrote. "PVC is not easily recycled from
auto parts and therefore often ends up in landfills, where the chemicals
can leach out and contaminate soil, water and wildlife."

In individual cases, HealthyStuff.org authors explained what made the
car interiors more toxic or safer.

For example, the Civic used flame retardants that did not use bromine, a
chemical that affects the nervous system and can cause genetic mutations
in humans. In contrast, the Outlander not only used bromine, but also
leather seats treated with chromium, a chemical that is known to cause
cancer <http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=10> ;
along with seat materials that contain lead that delays development in
children <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-poisoning/FL00068> .

Prior to 2006, manufacturers produced all new cars with PVC. In 2005,
some automakers announced they would phase out PVC. By 2006, 4.1 percent
of new cars produced were PVC-free, a number that grew to 16.7 percent
for 2011 and 2012 models. Honda, maker of the Civic, lead automakers in
PVC reduction; 83 percent of their 2011/2012 cars were PVC free.

The consumer advocates measured toxic chemicals in auto interiors with
handheld X-ray fluorescence devices. Researchers took measurements on
car seats, armrests, steering wheels, door trim and shift knobs. In many
cases, researchers found harmful chemicals at levels that exceed indoor
and outdoor air quality standards.

"Our testing is intended to expose those dangers and encourage
manufacturers to use safer alternatives," Gearhart said in a press
release.  

The full list of cars can be viewed here
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.php> . 

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http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.php

There's more to green vehicles than just fuel economy

*	HealthyStuff.org produces one-of-kind ratings for healthy
interiors for new vehicles. 
*	This is the only organization that routinely tests new vehicles
for the health of their vehicle interiors and posts the data publicly
for consumers. 
*	While fuel economy is important, the public in increasingly
concerned about chemical hazards in consumer products. 
*	There is no mandatory testing or regulation of chemicals used
inside vehicles. Thus, consumers face a lack of information while they
are car shopping. 
*	Long-term exposure even to small amounts of pollutants can
adversely impact health. Children are at a greater risk for developing
health problems because they breathe in more air with respect to their
body size than adults and thus have greater exposure to interior vehicle
pollutants. 

Chemical Hazards in Vehicles

*	Exposure to many toxic chemicals is highest indoors: Average
Americans spend up to 90% of their daily lives indoors. The EPA has
estimated indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times higher
than outdoor air pollution levels. EPA has ranked indoor air pollution
one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Next to homes
and offices, we spend the most time in automobiles: 1.5 hours per day on
average. 
*	The "New Car Smell" is toxic: The "new car smell" is actually
the smell of toxic chemicals off-gassing from interior auto parts such
as the seating, dashboards and vehicle trim. Since 1960 the quantity of
plastics used in vehicles has grown ten-fold, rising from 22 pounds in
1960 to over 250 pounds today. Many synthetic materials and plastics are
produced with chemical additives that are used to change the engineering
performance of the plastics, thus these plastics may contain
plasticizers, stabilizers, flame retardants, aintimicorbials and
antioxidants. Due to these additives, many pollutants, including
benzene, toluene and xylene, were found in levels exceeding indoor and
outdoor air quality standards. 
*	The concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in
vehicles contribute nearly 30% to total daily exposure. 
*	Auto interiors are chemical reactors: Immediately after
delivery, new vehicles have been found to be universally contaminated
with very high concentrations of a large number of chemicals that
diffuse from interior vehicle materials. Over 275 different chemicals
have been identified in vehicles interiors, including chemicals
associate with birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and
cancer. Automobiles are unique and harsh environments for plastics. Air
temperature extremes of 192 F (89 C) and dash temperatures up to 248 F
(120 C) have been observed in vehicles. These extreme temperatures can
increase the concentration of VOCs and high levels of sunlight producing
breakdown products which can also be harmful to human health. 
*	Some cars are better the others, healthier cars are possible:
HealthyStuff.org has screened 900 vehicles since 2006. Our unique tests
show a clear difference between the best vehicles and bets companies and
others. The best vehicles today have eliminated important chemical
hazards, including hazardous flame retardants and PVC. Today, 17% of new
vehicles have PVC-free interiors and 60% are produced without BFRs in
the interiors. 

Vehicle ratings

*	HealthyStuff.org is releasing one-of-kind test data on 204 new
2011-2012 model new vehicles. This data is part of a multi-year
HealthyStuff.org vehicle database containing test results for 900
vehicles. 
*	The overall best and worst vehicles are listed below. The 2012
Honda Civic (score 0.46) was the overall best-rated vehicle and 2011
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (score 3.17) was the overall worst-rated
vehicle this year. 
*	The Civic achieved its ranking by being free of bromine-base
flame retardants is all interior components, utilizing PVC-free interior
fabrics and interior trim, and low levels of heavy metals and other
metal allergens. 
*	The Mitsubishi Outlander contained bromine and antimony-bases
flame retardants in seating, the center console and seat base, chromium
treated leather on several components and over 400 ppm lead in seating
materials. 

Overall Vehicle Ratings: Overall vehicle ratings continue to improve.
These improvements are due to a significant reduction in the use of PVC
and BFR by some automakers.

Top Ranked Manufacturer: The top-rated automaker for healthy interiors
continues to be Honda. Honda has been HealthyStuff.org's top ranked
automaker every year since 2007. Hyundai-Kia has been the lowest ranked
manufacturer for the last two years.

Auto Manufacturer Trends 

*	Most Improved Automakers: Most improved automakers in terms of
the average ratings for their vehicles are VW (+42%), Mitsubishi (+38%)
and Ford (+30%). These represent improvement in their average vehicle
scores between the combined 2009-2010 models years to the combined
2011-2012 model years. 
*	Automakers With Declining Ratings: Two automakers had overall
declining average scores between the combined 2009-2010 models years to
the combined 2011-2012 model years. Daimler AG (-29%) and Volvo (-13%). 

PVC in vehicles

*	PVC is the most toxic plastic: PVC, a widely used type of
plastic in vehicles that is of concern to the environment and public
health during all phases of its life cycle. During the production phase,
workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents and wildlife in
surrounding neighborhoods, may be exposed to the vinyl chloride monomer
and/or dioxin, both of which are likely carcinogen. At the end of
vehicle life, PVC causes a host of additional environmental issues. PVC
is not easily recycled from auto parts and therefore often ends up in
landfills, where the chemicals can leach out and contaminate soil, water
and wildlife. Otherwise, it is incinerated or burned for energy
recovery, in which case highly toxic dioxins and furans can form and be
emitted into the air. Flexible PVC often contains hazardous
plasticizers, or 'softeners,' called phthalates, which off-gas during
vehicle use and are deposited on dust particles and windshields, where
they cause "fogging." 
*	PVC-free alternatives are available: PVC-free alternatives are
available for almost every use of PVC in the automotive sector. In
recent years, automakers have begun replacing PVC with polyurethanes and
polyolefins, which contain fewer harmful additives and are easier to
recycle. 
*	On a fleet-wide basis PVC use continues to decline: Zero percent
of pre-2006 vehicles had PVC-free interiors. 17% (34) of 2011/2012
vehicle models had PVC-free interiors. Overall 103, 2006-2012 model year
vehicles in the HealthyStuff.org vehicle database have PVC-free
interiors. A complete list of PVC-free vehicle is available. 

*	Honda phases out PVC: Honda has virtually eliminated PVC, with
83% of its 2011/2012 models being free of PVC in the interiors.
HealthyStuff.org testing confirms Honda achievement of its publicly
stated commitment in its 2011 North American Environmental Report:
"Honda's goal is to reduce the use of materials containing chlorine to a
less than 1% concentration in materials that can end up in the waste
stream as shredder residue at the end of an automobile's useful life."  
*	PVC Use by make(for 2011/12 model year vehicles): Lowest PVC Use
--- Honda, Suzuki & Mazda Highest PVC Use --- Daimler AG, Saab & Volvo 

Hazardous flame retardants in vehicles

*	Brominated flame retardants are widely use in vehicles:
brominated flame retardants (BFRs) refers a wide range of brominated
chemicals added to materials to both inhibit their ignition and slow
their rate of combustion. Commonly used examples include polybrominated
diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and
tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), as well as brominated polymeric and
oligomeric materials. 40% of vehicle tested in 2012 contained BFRs n the
vehicle interiors. 
*	Many BFRs are toxic and everywhere: Several BFRs, including
certain PBDEs and HBCD, have known toxic properties, are highly
resistant to degradation in the environment and are able to
bioaccumulate (build up in animals and humans). Some are now widespread
environmental pollutants, with higher levels generally being found in
the atmosphere and rivers close to urban and industrialised areas. These
compounds can be released from such products during use, leading to
their presence in household dust and resulting in increased human
exposure. And when these products reach the end of their useful lives,
some disposal or recycling operations (e.g incineration, smelting and
open burning) can release the bromine in other hazardous forms,
including as hydrogen bromide and brominated dioxins. Levels of BFR's in
the interior vehicle environment are 5-10 higher then homes and offices.

*	Vehicles can be safe without hazardous flame retardants:
HealthyStuff.org testing illustrates that safer alternatives can be used
to replace the most hazardous chemical used in vehicles. Alternatives
which provide the degree of fire safety required under law without using
organic compounds of bromine do already exist, including some direct
chemical substitutes, as well as use of alternative materials and even
product redesign in order to reduce or eliminate the need for
flame-retardant additives. 

Halogen-free vehicles

*	PVC & BFR-free vehicles are on the market today: Automakers
continue to implement alternatives to PVC and BFRs. In 2006 only 2% of
vehicle interiors were free of PVC and BFRs. In 2012, 4-times the number
of vehicles (8%) were free of PVC and BFRs. 

Regional Differences in Chemical Use

This data highlights regional differences in PVC and BFRs between
European, Asian and North America assembled vehicles. The country in
which vehicles were assembled was tracked using the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN). Overall, the progressive regulation of
chemical additives in consumer products in Europe and end of life
vehicle concerns in Asia is driving elimination of important chemical
hazards from vehicles.

*	Asia: Vehicles assembled in Asia utilized significantly less PVC
in vehicle components. On average, vehicles assembled in Japan or Korea
showed a 50% reduction in the use of PVC. However, Asia assembled
vehicles contained on average over twice the number of components. This
data likely reflects the increased focus by Asian manufacturers, lead by
Honda, on reducing the amount of chlorine in vehicles due to concerns
about emissions during end-of-life vehicle processing. 
*	Europe: Vehicles assembled in Europe utilized the most PVC, more
than double the amount of vehicles assembled in other parts of the
world. However, levels of BFR use in vehicles are by far the lowest in
Europe. This difference likely reflects the impact of European
regulations, including the End of Life Vehicle Directive, RHoS and REACH
on components being used in vehicles. 
*	North America: While all North American manufacturers market
vehicles globally, our data illustrates that US produced vehicles lag
behind European and Asian produced vehicles in PVC and BFR use
reduction. The US has the weakest chemical regulatory system for
chemical in consumer products and provides the fewest incentives for
companies to phase-out hazardous chemicals. 

Note: HealthyStuff.org only tests for a limited set of chemical hazards.
Vehicles may also contain other chemical hazards, including chlorinated
flame retardants (CFR) which were NOT tested for in this study 

________________________________

Other Recent HealthyStuff.org Studies 

*	Halloween Products (2011)
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.halloween.2
011.php>  
*	Children's Car Seats (2011)
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.carseats.20
11.php>  

NOTE: HealthyStuff.org is an initial screening of chemicals in products
for a handful of hazardous chemicals. There are a number of chemicals of
concern that the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/documents/XRFfactsheet.pdf
>  and HealthyStuff.org cannot detect. For example, there has been much
concern recently about bisphenol A, a component of polycarbonate
plastic. The XRF device is not able to detect bisphenol A, nor can it
identify polycarbonate. In addition, the XRF device cannot detect
phthalates, a family of chemicals of concern, although we have used the
presence of PVC plastic as a surrogate for the likely presence of
phthalates.

HealthyStuff.org ratings do not provide a measure of health risk or
chemical exposure associated with any individual product, or any
individual element or related chemical. HealthyStuff.org ratings only
provide a relative measure of high, medium, and low level of concern or
concentrations of several hazardous chemicals or chemical elements in
product in comparison to criteria established in the methodology
<http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.methodology.php> .

Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   Deborah.DeBiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov <http://www.deq.virginia.gov/> 
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit and Compliance Assistance Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents 
www.deq.virginia.gov/vpdes/microconstituents.html

4th National DEA Drug Collection 04/28/12, 10-2 pm 
Go to www.dea.gov for site locations

Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028      FAX:      804-698-4032

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