Don't Eat In the Car, It's Full of Fire Retardants

Photo Credit: Nina Leen, Time/Life, Getty Images

We have reported earlier that you should wash your hands after eating to avoid absorbing fat-soluble fire retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ether (PDBE). Now, a new study indicates that the air inside automobiles can have very high concentrations of the stuff, even though it was supposed to be phased out after 2004. "The main factors governing the PBDE concentrations inside cars are vehicle age and car interior temperature," says the study's first author, Manolis Mandalakis.

Putting the two stories together, probably the worst place to eat your happy meal is in the back seat of the car. ::ES&T

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