Air Purifier News: What Silent Killer is Riding Shotgun in Your Car?

Road-traffic accidents are one of the world's largest public health and injury prevention problems. The World Health Organization notes that more than one million people are killed in traffic accidents each year and whether commuting to work or school, many Americans spend a good part of their day on the road. Unfortunately, this makes us highly susceptible to a number of traffic hazards that could endanger our health or even our lives. However, did you know that another huge threat to your health and safety may be the invisible fumes and toxins that are riding shotgun in your car?

According to a recent report published by the Ecology Center, two categories of chemicals found in car materials - phthalates and brominated flame retardants - were shown to cause a range of health problems, and could even be potentially carcinogenic. Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers added to plastics to increase their flexibility and pliability (often used in car interiors). Brominated flame retardants, on the other hand, are applied to electronics, clothes, and furniture from catching fire. The Ecology Center Study found that both groups of chemicals were shown to cause kidney, brain, and liver damage, as well as thyroid problems. In addition, this study also found that the air in 20 new vehicles had extremely high levels of VOCs in the interiors, and one vehicle actually contained 200 times more hydrocarbons than what is considered safe to inhale.

Some ecologists have proposed that perhaps replacing a car's interior paper filter with activated charcoal filters could possibly decrease the levels of these chemicals.