Car seat foam could spread carcinogens, says new study

The National Toxicology Program is currently investigating the fire retardant compound for being potentially carcinogenic.

In the 1970s, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) enforced the use of flame retardants in the foam of car seats. This was done to prevent/slow down the spread of fire in vehicles.

However, according to media reports, the fire retardant compound in car seats may increase the risk of cancer in human beings. The National Toxicology Program is currently investigating the fire retardant compound for being potentially carcinogenic. In fact, two of the fire retardants used in the car seat foam have already been labelled 'carcinogenic' by California's Proposition 65.

As per reports, the new study stated that while the fire-retardant foam does slow down the spread of fire by 25% compared to untreated foam, the chemicals used make the fire more toxic, both for the victims and first responders.

The study found that the level of harmful chemicals was higher on warmer days. It said, "Levels were higher in the summer because warmer temperatures cause an increase in off-gassing, which is the release of chemicals from car interiors."

Source: Forbes