HealthyCar.org — Chlorine

Detection of chlorine in a vehicle or car seat component indicates the likely use of PVC, a widely used type of plastics that is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle.

During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents and wildlife in surrounding neighborhoods, may be exposed to the vinyl chloride monomer and/or dioxin, both of which are likely carcinogens. At the end of vehicle life, PVC causes a host of additional environmental issues. PVC is not easily recycled from auto parts and therefore often ends up in landfills, where the plasticizers (primarily phthalates) can leach out and contaminate soil, water and wildlife. Otherwise, it is incinerated or burned for energy recovery, in which case highly toxic dioxins and furans can form and be emitted into the air.

Flexible PVC also contains plasticizers called phthalates, which off-gas during vehicle use and are deposited on dust particles and windshields, where they cause "fogging". One of the most common phthalates used, DEHP (di 2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate), has been linked to a number of serious health problems. The EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen, and there is also evidence that it causes male and female genital and urinary malformations, preterm deliveries, and testicular atrophy. Short-term high exposure to DEHP interferes with sperm formation in mice and rats, as well as delayed sexual maturity. Long-term exposure affects the liver and testes, and in some cases thyroid, ovaries, kidneys, and blood. Studies on animals suggest that DEHP or some of its breakdown products pass across the placenta and reach the fetus, causing birth defects, alterations in the structure of bones, brain, liver, kidney, and testes of the young animals, and even fetal death. Studies have also shown that DEHP or some of its breakdown products can pass from mother to babies via breast milk and alter the development of the young animals.

A second common use of chlorine-containing chemicals in plastics is chlorinated paraffins. Chlorinated paraffins are by far the most widely used aliphatic chlorine-containing flame retardants. They have applications in plastics, including PVC, fabrics, paints and coatings.

For references, please download the full report.

chlorine

Detection of chlorine in a vehicle or car seat component indicates the likely use of PVC, a widely used type of plastics that is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle.

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