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Modelling exposure of semi-volatile organic chemicals (SVOCs) in car cabins and assessment of their relative risks
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.
Materials Engineering Centre, Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Bioeconomy and Health, Department Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, Unit Chemical and Pharmaceutical Safety, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden.
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Chemistry.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-2088-6756
2026 (English)In: Atmospheric Environment, ISSN 1352-2310, E-ISSN 1873-2844, Vol. 364, article id 121634Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Semi-volatile organic substances (SVOCs) including flame retardants and plasticizers may emit from products during their life cycle and pose health risks, such as endocrine disruption and neurodevelopmental effects. Cars, as enclosed spaces with SVOC-emitting materials, can contribute significantly to human exposure, especially for toddlers and professional drivers who may have higher risk. This study assessed exposure to a selection of SVOCs in car cabins for various scenarios, considering car cabin temperatures (25 °C or 60 °C), user physiology (adult/toddler), and time spent in cars (average user/professional driver). Scenarios included cooling dynamics in warm cars, assuming ventilation reduces cabin temperature from 60 °C to 25 °C within 5 min. The highest total exposure dose was estimated for di-(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) and tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP). Inhalation and air-to-skin contact were the dominant exposure routes for compounds like 2,2′-methylenebis (4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (MBMBP), while ingestion of dust was significant for others like TDCIPP. Data collected from the literature on levels of SVOCs in private houses, offices and childcare facilities facilitated estimation of the contribution of cars to the total dose obtained throughout the day. Although toddlers and professional drivers had similar estimated exposure doses, despite differing times spent in cars, a first-tier risk assessment showed no immediate health concerns, with hazard quotients well below 1. However, refined models and further analysis for sensitive groups remain critical for a deeper analysis of risk.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2026. Vol. 364, article id 121634
National Category
Environmental Sciences Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-246364DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2025.121634Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105020377788OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-246364DiVA, id: diva2:2015013
Available from: 2025-11-19 Created: 2025-11-19 Last updated: 2025-11-19Bibliographically approved

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Andersson, Patrik L.

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