Cancer risk from chemicals used to prevent fire in cars! NGT sends notice to 4 departments

Chemicals are being used in most cars in the country to prevent fire and those chemicals can cause cancer to those traveling in that car. Regarding this danger, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sent a notice to a total of four departments including the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and has sought a reply from them. Earlier, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had refused to study this matter. The board said that it does not have the necessary facilities to test the effect of these chemicals.

Seeing the effect of chemicals on people's health, NGT had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and is hearing the case itself.

The National Green Tribunal has found out from a study that the seat foam used for extinguishing fire and the measures being taken for controlling temperature use chemicals. These pose a risk of cancer to people who remain in the car for a long time. This affects the car drivers and especially children and they are at risk of getting cancer.

Pollution Control Board gave the report on 10 September.

The Central Pollution Control Board submitted a report to the NGT on this matter on September 10. This report said that it needs to be investigated whether the chemicals TDCIPP, TCIPP, and TCEP can cause cancer or not and this investigation can be done only by the Indian Council of Medical Research because it has the resources.

NGT Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava, expert member Dr. A Senthil Vel, and judicial member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi have ordered everyone to respond within eight weeks on the risk of cancer due to the chemicals used in cars.

Apart from CPCB and ICMR, the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Administrative Head of National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Projects, Administrative Head of the Automotive Research Association of India and Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have been directed to respond to the notice before the next hearing.

Cancer risk from fire extinguishing chemicals

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology revealed that fire retardant chemicals are present in the cabin air of most cars. The study found that these organophosphate ester fire retardants pose significant health risks.

Researchers detected these harmful chemicals in the cabin air of all 101 vehicles tested. Long-term exposure to tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate may cause neurotoxicity and adverse effects on thyroid function.

The findings raise public health concerns, especially for people traveling long distances and for children. The NGT has taken suo motu cognizance of the report has started hearing the case and has now summoned reports from four departments in this matter.