MODEL YEAR 2006/2007 GUIDE TO NEW VEHICLES
MODEL YEAR 2006/2007 GUIDE TO NEW VEHICLESA REPORT BY THE ECOLOGY CENTERAUTHORSJeff Gearhart, Hans Posselt, Claudette Juska & Charles GriffithMarch 2007
ACKNOWLEMENTSThe Ecology Center would like to extendspecial thanks to colleagues who providedvaluable feedback on the report, includingErika Schreder, Tom Webster, MikeShade, and many others in the ComingClean network. We would also like tothank Andrea Villablanca and HansPosselt for their technical assistance, aswell as Paul Stowe, Catherine Chang, andMeredith Haamen for their help samplingvehicles.For communications and outreach, wewould like to thank Shayna Samuels andGlenn Turner of Ripple Strategies, DavidGarrett of DG Communications, MichaelSnow of Snow Creative, Ted Sylvester,and Gregory Fox.For supporting the ongoing work of theEcology Center and publication of thisreport, we would like to thank the JohnMerck Fund and the New York CommunityTrust.The Ecology Center is solely responsiblefor the content of this report. The viewsand ideas expressed in this report do notnecessarily reflect the views and policiesof our funders.ECOLOGY CENTERThe Ecology Center is a Michigan-basednonprofit environmental organization thatworks for a safe and healthy environmentwhere people live, work and play. TheCenter’s Clean Car Campaign works toaddress environmental and health impactsof the production, use and disposal ofvehicles in the U.S.CONTENTS3Introduction3Using the Guide5Chemicals of Concern5Bromine7Chlorine8Lead9Other Chemicals, Allergens andHeavy Metals12 Alternatives14Vehicles of Least and Most Concern15Vehicle GuideAPPENDIX19Understanding the Vehicle Ratings19 Selecting the Chemicals ofConcern21 Vehicle Sampling24 Establishing the Relative Levels ofConcern117 North Division StreetAnn Arbor, MI 48104734.761.3186 (phone)734.663.2414 (fax)info@EcoCenter.org2 – THE ECOLOGY CENTER – WWW.HEALTHYCAR.ORG
INTRODUCTIONSmog checks are required in some states tolimit pollution coming out of cars. But whatabout a car’s indoor air pollution?Consumers are increasingly concernedabout toxic chemicals that off-gas and leachfrom interior auto parts such as steeringwheels, dashboards and seats. In additionto contributing to “new car smell,” thesechemicals can be harmful when inhaled oringested and can lead to severe healthimpacts such as birth defects, learningdisabilities and cancer. Since the averageAmerican spends more than 1.5 hours in acar every day, toxic chemical exposureinside vehicles is becoming a major sourceof potential indoor air pollution. Whileemphasis of this study is on the use phaseexposure of toxic chemicals in vehicles, ourrating system also considers potentialhealth and environmental impacts duringthe production of materials and end-of-lifeof vehicles.The good news is that some cars are betterthan others. Toxic chemicals are notrequired to make indoor auto parts, andsome manufacturers have begun to phasethem out. Scientists and researchers at theEcology Center have createdwww.healthycar.org so that consumers canaccess information about the chemicals usedin their car or the car they are thinking ofpurchasing. In addition to gas mileage andcrash test ratings, car-buyers can now learnif the materials in their car are safe forthemselves and their family.spectrometry device. The componentssampled include: steering wheel, shift knob,arm rest/center console, dash board,headliner, carpet, seat front, seat back, seatbase, hard door trim, soft door trim, bodysealer, wiring, window seal and wheelweights. The XRF device identified theelemental composition of each of thesecomponents. XRF tests are limited toanalysis of chemical elements and do notreveal the compounds containing aparticular element. For example, thepresence of chlorine indicates a chlorinecontaining compound, such as PVC, but notelemental chlorine. Based on our findings,each vehicle was given an overall vehiclerating, as well as chemical ratings forbromine, chlorine, lead and a group ofsubstances referred to as “otherchemicals”2. A detailed description of therating system is provided in the Appendix.The overall vehicle rating indicates therelative level of health and environmentalconcern associated with the materials inthe vehicle, in comparison to all othervehicles tested. The ratings range from 0 to5, with 0 representing vehicles with therelative lowest concern and 5 the relativehighest.Each vehicle is also assigned a relative levelof concern of low, medium or high. Vehicleswith a low rating and are indicated in green.Vehicles with a high rating are indicated inred. All others received an average ormedium rating and are indicated in yellow.USING THE GUIDEHealthyCar.org includes test results fromover 200 of the most popular vehicles in theU.S. market from the 2006 and 2007 modelyears. In each vehicle, 15 differentcomponents were sampled using a portable,hand-held X-Ray Flouresence1 (XRF)1 More information about X-Ray Flouresence (XRF)spectrometry can be found in the Appendix. Moreinformation about the XRF device used by HealthyCar.orgcan be found at: http://www.innov-x-sys.com/home.phpThe chemical ratings for bromine,chlorine, lead and other chemicals indicatethe relative concern associated with levelsof those chemicals detected in the vehicle,compared to all other vehicles tested.These ratings also range from 0 to 5, with 02 Other chemicals include: antimony, arsenic, chromium,cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin
representing vehicles with the relativelowest concern and 5 the relative highest.copper, nickel, mercury and tin in parts permillion in each individual vehiclecomponent that was tested. A sample ofthis data is shown in Table 2. It alsoindicates the percent rank of any individualsample, as compared to the samecomponent in other vehicles.In addition to toxic chemicals, consumersmight also want to consider other issues,such as fuel-economy and safety, whenconsidering a vehicle purchase. Visit theHealthyCar.org to find links to other helpfulvehicle shopping tools. For answers tofrequently asked questions about the guide,refer to www.HealthyCar.org.HealthyCar.org ratings do not provide anyabsolute measure of health risk or chemicalexposure associated with any individualvehicle, or any individual element orrelated chemical. HealthyCar.org ratingsonly provide a relative measure of "level ofconcern" for a vehicle in comparison to allvehicles sampledTable 1 on the next page is a sample of thevehicle ratings for the station wagon class ofvehicles.In addition, the online guide provides thedetection information for bromine, chlorine,lead, antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt,Table 1: Vehicle Rating for Station Wagon Market SegmentVolvo V50Suzuki AerioToyota MatrixSuzuki SX4Pontiac VibeVolvo V70Saab 9-5Audi A3Mercedes E350Mazda 5Suzuki Forenza WagonScion .01.21.91.72.51.83.53.64.03.7Table 2: Concentrations found in the Pontiac VibeBROMINECOMPONENTArm rest/center consoleCarpetDoor trim (hard)Door trim (soft)Exterior window sealFront seat (front)Front seat (rear)HeadlinerIPSeat baseShift knobSteering wheelPPM0907800060000Rank 00000174,8850Rank %0%0%0%0%88%0%0%0%0%0%83%0%4 – THE ECOLOGY CENTER – WWW.HEALTHYCAR.ORGLEADPPM016001400150000Rank %0%90%0%0%0%0%0%91%0%0%0%0%
CHEMICALS OFCONCERNIndoor auto parts contain chemicals that areadded during the production processes toimpart specific properties such as rigidity,durability or flame resistance. Many ofthese chemicals are not chemically bound tothe parts and are consequently released intothe environment during the life of theproduct. One of the common wayschemicals are released is referred to as “offgassing,” and evidence of this is sometimespresent as a window film or “fogging” thatdevelops on the inside of the windshield.Heat and UV-ray exposure can acceleratethis process and may also cause chemicalsto break down into even more toxiccompounds. These chemicals are inhaled oringested by drivers and passengers throughdust and air, potentially causing allergic orother acute reactions, or even long-termhealth impacts such as birth defects,impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.The same chemicals that may cause humanhealth issues can also cause problems in theenvironment. When vehicles are discardedat the end of their life, the majority of plasticand other nonmetallic parts are shreddedand put into landfills or burned inincinerators. When discarded in landfills,harmful chemicals contained in vehicleplastics and other materials can leach outand contaminate soil and water. Whenincinerated, toxic chemicals are dispersedthroughout the atmosphere.While there are numerous chemicalcompounds in vehicles that may lead tohealth and environmental problems,HealthyCar.org focuses on chemicalscontaining the elements bromine, chlorine,and lead, as well as other heavy metals,allergens and carcinogens. All of theseelements and their related chemicalcompounds were chosen because of theirtoxicity, persistence, and tendency to buildup in people and the environment.These chemicals were also chosen becausethey could be easily and quickly identifiedusing non-destructive methods. This wasessential since sampling for HealthyCar.orgwas limited to new vehicles. In addition,these chemicals, or their elemental buildingblocks, have been subject to eitherregulatory restrictions or voluntary limitsset by industry associations or third partyenvironmental certification organizations.HealthyCar.org ratings do not provide anyabsolute measure of health risk or chemicalexposure associated with any individualvehicle, or any individual element orrelated chemical. HealthyCar.org ratingsonly provide a relative measure of "level ofconcern" for the vehicles sampled. Theratings allow comparison of the presenceand levels detected of chemicals of concernin any one vehicle to all vehicles sampled.BROMINEDetection of bromine in a vehiclecomponent indicates the likely presence of abrominated flame retardant (BFR). Anumber of different BFRs are commonlyused in vehicle components. While thesampling conducted for HealthyCar.orgcould not identify the chemical structure ofthe brominated flame retardant in aparticular component, automakers ingenerally use the following three BFRs.Deca-Brominated Diphenyl EtherOne of the most common BFR used in autoapplications in the U.S. is deca-brominateddiphenyl ether (decaBDE, or “deca”)3. Decais also used in many other products,including furniture, mattresses, televisions,and computers. In 2003, over 56,000 tonswere used worldwide4. Decabromodiphenylether is used at loadings of 10-15% weightin polymers and is always used in con-3Stuer-Lauridsen, F.; Havelund, S.; Birkved, M. 2000.Alternatives to brominated flame retardants, Screening forenvironmental and health data. Danish EPA.http://www.mst.dk/homepage/ (Accessed 03/08/07).4Bromine Science and Environmental Forum. 2006. “Factsheet: brominated flame retardant Deca-BDE.”http://www.bsef.com. (Accessed 02/21/07).WWW.HEALTHYCAR.ORG - THE ECOLOGY CENTER – 5
junction with antimony trioxide5. Deca isphysically mixed into the plastic duringproduction and can be released to theenvironment over the life a product. It isbecoming ubiquitous in homes, offices, andeven the outdoor environment.One of the major concerns with deca is thatit may “debrominate,” or break down whenexposed to UV radiation. Some of thebreakdown products include pentaBDE andoctaBDE, which have been phased-out bygovernment health organizations and theglobal automotive industry, due to theirtoxicity. This is of particular concern todrivers and passengers since vehiclecomponents that contain deca are exposedto high UV levels and heat when parked inthe sun. In a recent report, Ecology Centertesting found that concentrations of penta,octa and deca were much higher in dustand window film samples from new modelvehicles than from samples obtained inhomes and offices6. Once released fromproducts, these chemicals remain in theenvironment for long periods and build upin people's bodies, in breast milk, and infish and other animals7.Exposure to deca is linked to a number ofhuman health effects. Deca may passthrough the placenta8 and cause neurodevelopmental toxicity in unborn babies9.Other suspected health concerns forpolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)5Stuer-Lauridsen, F.; Havelund, S.; Birkved, M. 2000.Alternatives to brominated flame retardants, Screening forenvironmental and health data. Danish EPA.http://www.mst.dk/homepage/ (Accessed 03/08/07).6Ecology Center. 2006. “Toxic at any speed: chemicals incars and the need for safe yspeed.shtml.(accessed 02/21/07).7Rayne S, Ikonomou MG, Antcliffe B. 2003. “Rapidlyincreasing polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations inthe Columbia River system from 1992 to 2000.”Environmental Science and Technology. Jul 1: 37(13): 240A241A.8Mazdai A, Dodder NG, Abernathy MP, Hites RA, BigsbyRM. 2003. “Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Maternaland Fetal Blood Samples.” Environmental Health Perspectives.111: 1249-1252.9Porterfield, S.P. 1994. “Vulnerability of the developingbrain to thyroid abnormalities: environmental insult to thethyroid system.” Environmental Health Perspectives102(supplement 2): 125-30.include: thyroid hormone disruption10,permanent learning and memoryimpairment11, behavioral changes, hearingdeficits, delayed puberty onset, decreasedsperm count12, fetal malformations13,14 andpossibly cancer15. Its breakdown products,penta and octa, have been linked to similarhealth effects16.Alternatives to deca and BFRs in generalexist and are readily available on themarket. Testing for HealthyCar.org foundthat for each component tested, numerousmodels did not contain any bromine,showing that automakers have metstringent fire safety codes without usingdecaBDE or other BFRs. For furtherdiscussion of alternatives see thealternatives section below.Many companies are voluntarilyeliminating their use of deca. The use ofdeca has been restricted in electronics andelectrical equipment in the European Unionas of 2006. Some computer companiesbegan phasing out deca even before thisrestriction was put in place17.10Zhou T, Taylor MM, DeVito MJ, Crofton KM. 2002.“Developmental exposure to brominated diphenyl ethersresults in thyroid hormone disruption.” Toxicology ScienceMar; 66(1): 105-16.11Eriksson P, Jakobsson E, Fredriksson A. 2001. “Brominatedflame retardants: a novel class of developmentalneurotoxicants in our environment?” Environmental HealthPerspectives Sep; 109(9): 903-8.12Kuriyama, S. and Chahoud, I. 2003. “Maternal exposure tolow dose 2,2'4,4',5 pentabromo diphenyl ether (PBDE 99)impairs male reproductive performance in adult maleoffspring.” Organohologen Compounds (61): 92- 95.13International Program of Chemical Safety (IPCS). 1994.“Brominated Diphenyl Ethers.Environmental Health Criteria162. World Health Organization.”14Norris, J.M.; Kociba, R.J.; Scwetz, B.A.; Rose, J.Q.;Humiston, C.G.; Jewett, G.L.; Gehring, P.J.; Mailhes, J.B.1975. “Toxicology of octabromobiphenyl anddecabromodiphenyl oxide.” Environmental HealthPerspectives. (11): 153-161.15U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2006.“Decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPE) (CASRN m. (Accessed12/12/06).16The Collaborative on Health and the Environment. 2006.“CHE Toxicant and Disease Database: PolybrominatedDiphenyl /index.cfm (See Science, Toxics Database, Browse by Toxicant,Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers). (Accessed 03/01/07).17Clean Production Action. 2006. “Safer Products:Computers.” http://www.safer-6 – THE ECOLOGY CENTER – WWW.HEALTHYCAR.ORG
While our testing did not conclusivelydetermine the chemical form of brominefound is vehicle components, the mostcommon forms of BFRs are well known.Other BFRs other than deca that could becontained in the auto parts are listed below,though their use in auto interiors is limited.Tetrabromobishenol ATBBPA is another type of BFR that iscommonly used in plastic applications.Over 130,000 tons were used in 2002 aroundthe world, predominantly in circuit boardsfor electronics, but also in acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene (ABS)18. TBBPA is knownto off-gas to the environment, though theamount of off gassing varies dependinghow the TBBPA was combined with theplastic19. Lab tests have suggested that itmay disrupt thyroid function20. Studies alsosuggest that it may adversely affecthormone levels and the immune system21.The use of TBBA can be eliminated byreplacement with available alternatives.Many electronics companies are voluntarilyremoving TBBA from their products. SonyEricson has promised to eliminate TBBA incircuit boards by 2007, Dell by 2009.Meanwhile, Motorola and Fujitsu SiemensComputers have begun introducing TBBAfree and BFR-free products to the market.They are able to do this by substitutingTBBA in circuit boards with phosphorousbased alternatives that are capable ofmeeting the same fire safety regulations22,23.products.org/page.php?p hous&s comp. (Accessed03/01/07).18Bromine Science and Environmental Forum. 2006. “Factsheet: brominated flame retardant TBBPA.”http://www.bsef.com. (Accessed 02/21/07).19Birnbaum L, Staskal D. 2004. “Brominated flameretardants: cause for concern” Environmental HealthPerspectives Vol. 112:1.20Kitamura S, Kato T, Iida M, Jinno N, Suzuki T, Ohta S,Fujimoto N, Hanada H, Kashiwagi K, Kashiwagi A. 2005.“Anti-thyroid hormonal activity of tetrabromobisphenol A, aflame retardant, and related compounds: Affinity to themammalian thyroid hormone receptor, and effect on tadpolemetamorphosis.” Life Sciences. 2005 Feb 18; 76(14); 1589-601.21Birnbaum L, Staskal D. 2004. “Brominated flameretardants: cause for concern?” Environmental HealthPerspectives. Vol. 112:1.22Green Peace. 2006. “Guide to Greener /reports/guide-togreener-electronics. (Accessed 03/01/07)Hexa-BromocyclododecaneHBCD is used in extruded polystyrene forthermal insulation foams and is also appliedin the back coating of textiles for furniture.It is produced in much smaller quantitiesthan deca and TBBPA, but is stillsubstantial, with 16,700 tons usedworldwide in 200124. Use of HBCDincreased in recent years as it began to beused as a substitute for penta and octa afterthese chemicals were banned by theEuropean Union. HBCD has a very strongpropensity to bioaccumulate and is found inincreasing concentrations in theenvironment. Studies suggest that HBCDaffects thyroid hormone levels, causeslearning and memory defects in neonatallaboratory animals, and has been detectedin breast milk25. In general, research islimited and more studies are needed inorder to understand the extent of humanhealth and environmental impacts causedby HBCD.CHLORINEDetection of chlorine in a vehiclecomponent indicate the likely use of PVC, awidely used type of plastics that is ofconcern to the environment and publichealth during all phases of its life cycle.During the production phase, workers atPVC facilities, as well as residents andwildlife in surrounding neighborhoods,may be exposed to the vinyl chloridemonomer and/or dioxin, both of which arelikely carcinogens26. At the end of vehiclelife, PVC causes a host of additionalenvironmental issues. PVC is not easilyrecycled from auto parts and therefore often23Environmental Data Services Ltd. 2006. “Search continuesfor alternatives to TBBA.” ENDS Report 384. January 2006.24Bromine Science and Environmental Forum. 2006. “Factsheet: brominated flame retardant HBCD.”http://www.bsef.com. (Accessed 02/21/2007).25Birnbaum L, Staskal D. 2004. “Brominated flameretardants: cause for concern?” Environmental HealthPerspectives Vol. 112:1.26The Center for Collaborative on Health and theEnvironment. 2006. “CHE T
applications in the U.S. is deca-brominated diphenyl ether (decaBDE, or “deca”)3. Deca is also used in many other products, including furniture, mattresses, televisions, and computers. In 2003, over 56,000 tons were used worldwide4. Decabromodiphenyl ether is used at loadings of 10-15% weight in polymers and is always used in con-
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