Unsafe Materials Found in Automobiles

Car manufacturers may take hundreds of hours crash testing the frame and body of their cars to ensure that passengers will be as safe as possible in a variety of accident scenarios, but getting into a car collision is not the only danger they have to fear. What most car owners haven’t heard about are the chemicals, toxins, and heavy metals that may be present in the interior materials of the car itself, to which drivers and passengers may be exposed for long periods of time.

Where Toxic Materials May be Located

While leading car manufacturers are working to reduce the number of toxic materials used to make car interiors and liners, these hazards are still present in many models presently on the road. Older vehicles and imported vehicles are more likely to have higher amounts of these chemicals due to lower safety standards of the past decades and to lower safety standards in other countries.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is found frequently in shifters, in dashboards and even on armrests. PVC exposure has been linked to birth defects and abnormalities in young children, putting toddlers and school aged passengers at risk. Like many chemicals and materials in plastics, PVC can break down over time and from continual exposure to intense heat, such as a car sitting in direct sunlight on a summer day.

Seat material and carpeting may contain bromine and lead, both of which have led to health risks such as cancer and anemia. There are even trace amounts of benzene and formaldehyde in some vehicle interiors.

Asbestos, which has been linked to a deadly form of cancer called mesothelioma, has been found in some hood liners and brake pads, meaning mechanics may have a high risk of asbestos exposure.

Heath Concerns:

These chemicals and materials present a serious health concern for passengers frequently exposed to them over long periods of time. It is estimated that the average American driver spends anywhere from one hour to several hours each in their car; over time, the frequent exposure to possible toxic chemicals in their car’s interior may lead to increased risk of cancer, respiratory problems and other diseases that could diminish one’s standard of living.

How to Stay Safe:

Before buying any vehicle, it is suggested that the buyer find out safety standards and requirements for that car’s specific manufacturer. Some foreign car companies have different safety standards than domestic car manufacturers, meaning the risk may be greater with imports.

There are numerous reports available on the Internet about which models of cars present the highest safety standards and which have been tested and shown to have high levels of toxic materials in the interior. Don’t let them go to waste — be cautions; be safe.