It is estimated that roughly 90 percent of Americans drive acar. People rely on their cars for school, work, emergencies, entertainment,leisure and errands. Someone who lives for 80 years could easily spend tens of thousandsof accumulated hours sitting inside a vehicle. This sounds rather harmless,until you come to realize that during all of your time spent in your car, youare breathing in and absorbing into your skin a number of highly toxicchemicals.
Asbestos, lead, bromine, benzene, PBDEs and pthalates are found in abundance on and inyour car. Many people believe their cars to be safe from toxins due to modernmanufacturing regulations, but nothing could be further from the truth. Thesechemicals can be found in the upholstery, carpeting, leather, plastic andparts, and many of them are even responsible for the new car smell people loveso much.
Pthalates and benzene are found in plastics such as dashboards, door panels,center consoles and imitation leather. These things have been linked withhormonal problems, infertility, genital deformities in babies, cancer, lowsperm count, anemia and immune suppression.
PBDEs are used in the production of fire retardants, which are applied to theseats, carpets and upholstery of your vehicle. While fire retardants may seemlike a great idea, they are extremely toxic, and are released into the air andabsorbed through your skin. They have been known to cause thyroid problems,cancer, fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain, birth defects and mentalproblems. It can be passed from mother to child in breast milk.
Lead is found in automotive upholstery andcarpeting, and in older vehicles, the paint. Like most other chemicals, it isinhaled from the air and absorbed through the skin where it causes brain andblood disorders, miscarriage, mental retardation in children, fertilityproblems, delayed puberty and dementia.
Asbestosexposure to which is responsible for mesothelioma, can be found in both modern and older cars. Itis used in brake pads, the clutch assembly, hood lining, gaskets, seals, valverings and thread sealing tape. Asbestos, besides causing mesothelioma, cancause asbestosis and breathing problems. It may also get in the eyes and nose,as well as the mouth where it is then swallowed.
Bromine is found in car seats, armrests, trim, shift knobs and othercomponents. Bromine has been linked to cancer, thyroid disorders, schizophreniaand other mental problems.
Besides getting rid of your car, there are things you can do to limit yourexposure. Don't sit in your car for prolonged periods with the windows up.Leave them cracked when the car will sit for a time in the sun or when it's hotoutside. Also, try to avoid running your AC as soon as you get in the car.
Asbestos, lead, bromine, benzene, PBDEs and pthalates are found in abundance on and inyour car. Many people believe their cars to be safe from toxins due to modernmanufacturing regulations, but nothing could be further from the truth. Thesechemicals can be found in the upholstery, carpeting, leather, plastic andparts, and many of them are even responsible for the new car smell people loveso much.
Pthalates and benzene are found in plastics such as dashboards, door panels,center consoles and imitation leather. These things have been linked withhormonal problems, infertility, genital deformities in babies, cancer, lowsperm count, anemia and immune suppression.
PBDEs are used in the production of fire retardants, which are applied to theseats, carpets and upholstery of your vehicle. While fire retardants may seemlike a great idea, they are extremely toxic, and are released into the air andabsorbed through your skin. They have been known to cause thyroid problems,cancer, fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain, birth defects and mentalproblems. It can be passed from mother to child in breast milk.
Lead is found in automotive upholstery andcarpeting, and in older vehicles, the paint. Like most other chemicals, it isinhaled from the air and absorbed through the skin where it causes brain andblood disorders, miscarriage, mental retardation in children, fertilityproblems, delayed puberty and dementia.
Asbestosexposure to which is responsible for mesothelioma, can be found in both modern and older cars. Itis used in brake pads, the clutch assembly, hood lining, gaskets, seals, valverings and thread sealing tape. Asbestos, besides causing mesothelioma, cancause asbestosis and breathing problems. It may also get in the eyes and nose,as well as the mouth where it is then swallowed.
Bromine is found in car seats, armrests, trim, shift knobs and othercomponents. Bromine has been linked to cancer, thyroid disorders, schizophreniaand other mental problems.
Besides getting rid of your car, there are things you can do to limit yourexposure. Don't sit in your car for prolonged periods with the windows up.Leave them cracked when the car will sit for a time in the sun or when it's hotoutside. Also, try to avoid running your AC as soon as you get in the car.
No comments:
Post a Comment