During the hearing, ICMR scientist Sivaperumal informed the tribunal that approval has been granted, and the study will commence within a week.
The researchers analysed the cabin air of 101 electric, gas and hybrid cars with a model year between 2015 and 2022. It was found that 99% of cars contained a flame retardant called TCIPP, which is under investigation by the US National Toxicology Program as a potential carcinogen. Most cars also had two more flame retardants, TDCIPP and TCEP, which are considered carcinogenic.
These flame retardants are linked to neurological and reproductive harms as well. The study states that since an average driver spends about an hour in the car every day, this is a significant public health issue. This is particularly concerning for drivers with longer commutes as well as child passengers, who breathe more air than adults. According to the study, the levels of toxic flame retardants were highest in the summer as heat increases the release of the chemicals.
The NGT noted that researchers found the seat foam as the source of the cancer-causing compounds in the cabin air. Car manufacturers add the chemicals to seat foam and other materials to meet a flammability standard with no proven fire-safety benefit. “Filling products with these harmful chemicals does little to prevent fires and instead makes the blazes smokier and more toxic,” the study says.
