Researchers have found that a source of carcinogenic chemicals is in Americans’ cars – but there may be a way to reduce your risk.

Environmental Science and Technology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, published a study called “Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature” on Tuesday.

The study explains that Americans breathe in chemicals from the flame retardants in their vehicles. The chemicals can cause issues ranging from developmental neurotoxicity to thyroid hormone dysregulation and even cancer.

The types of chemicals found in flame retardants range from polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which were common in cars until the early 2000s, to alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs). 

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The federal government requires a level of flame retardants in vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated the use of flame retardants in the 1970s.

“Flame retardant (FR) chemicals are intentionally used in electronics, furnishings, and building materials to meet flammability standards,” the study explains.

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“Most [flame retardants] are used in an additive manner (i.e., not chemically bound), and many are semivolatile, indicating that they can be present in both the gas phase and partially in the condensed phase (e.g., particles and surfaces), depending on environmental conditions.”

A motorcycle officer weaves through traffic on a Los Angeles freeway during the evening rush hour on April 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Americans who drive professionally or face long commutes may be at a higher risk of harm from the chemicals.

“These findings highlight that commuters are likely to be exposed to [flame retardants], especially those with longer commutes or those who drive vehicles full time as part of their employment,” the paper read. 

“In addition, children, who breathe a greater amount of air per kg body weight compared to adults, would also be at risk of greater exposures for equivalent commuting times.”

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An interior view of a vehicle on April 2, 2024 in Beijing, China (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Drivers and passengers in warmer states may face a greater risk of breathing in the flame retardant chemicals. But rolling down car windows, turning off the AC and parking in covered garages may help reduce exposure to the dangerous chemicals, researchers say. 

“Increasing ventilation by opening vehicle windows and avoiding recirculating interior cabin air may also reduce exposures,” the study said. “However, the greatest reduction in exposure from vehicle air would come from significantly reducing the amount of FRs added to personal vehicles.”

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Cracking your back or neck might provide quick relief and a satisfying popping noise — but is it a safe practice?

“When you stretch or manipulate your spine, such as by twisting or bending, the pressure within the joint changes,” Dr. William Kemo, a neurosurgeon at the Virginia Spine Institute, told Fox News Digital.

“This can cause a sudden release of gas bubbles, leading to a cracking sound.”

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People often crack their back or neck out of habit, or to temporarily relieve tension or stiffness, Kemo noted.

“Typically, they do this to loosen up their back or neck when it is feeling tight or stiff. The ‘cracking’ is the popping of a tight or stiff facet joint.”

While the act of cracking can release endorphins (feel-good chemicals) for temporary relief, it doesn’t address the source of the tension, according to Tori Hartline, a chiropractor at Sunlife Chiropractic in Frisco, Texas.

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Popping or cracking can even lead to injury, she warned.

“Chiropractors are trained to look for restricted areas in the spine and perform specific adjustments to decrease tension and improve range of motion,” Hartline said.

Cracking your back or neck can cause a myriad of health issues, experts are warning. (iStock)

“When an individual tries to pop their own back or neck, the segments that release gas are hypermobile segments versus the area of restriction. The joints above and below the area of restriction will move too much to compensate.”

She added, “Therefore, these cracks do not address the problem and can instead lead to further injury.”

The impacts of cracking your back or neck can include joint hypermobility, sprains or strains due to taking the joint too far past its proper range of motion — and even a fracture if too much pressure is applied, Hartline noted.

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Kemo agreed, warning that cracking your back can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your spine. 

“It may lead to strain on the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine, potentially causing injury or exacerbating existing issues,” he added.

One expert suggested seeing a licensed chiropractor to identify areas of restriction and prescribe therapeutic exercise and stretches. (iStock)

It’s especially dangerous to crack the neck, which could impede blood flow and, in very rare cases, could increase stroke risk, according to Dr. Todd Sinett, a chiropractor at Tru Whole Care in New York.

Alternatives to cracking

There are plenty of safe alternatives that will provide longer-term relief without exacerbating potential issues with the spine, Kemo said.

“Commit to a daily stretching routine, and engage in core muscle exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine,” he recommended.

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Regular physical activity can also be helpful.

“A body in motion stays in motion, and helps avoid stiffness and alleviates tension,” Kemo said.

The doctor also suggested optimizing your ergonomics at home, at work and in the car.

Committing to a daily stretching routine and engaging in core muscle exercises can help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine, one doctor said. (iStock)

“Examine your daily routines to see if there may be repetitive situations that leave you feeling stiff or experiencing tension/tightness,” Kemo suggested.

This might include hunching in your chair or seat in the car, holding your device and looking down for prolonged periods, or sleeping in a certain position.

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Hartline also suggested seeing a licensed chiropractor, who can identify the areas of restriction and prescribe therapeutic exercise and stretches to give you the best results.

“If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort or pain, it’s best to consult with a medical specialist for proper evaluation and treatment.”

Overall, both experts agree that it’s important to listen to your body and avoid forceful manipulation of the spine. 

“If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort or pain, it’s best to consult with a medical specialist for proper evaluation and treatment,” Kemo said. 

“Remember, what works for one person may not be suitable for another — so personalized guidance is key.”

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A major public health agency last week expanded its breast cancer screening guidelines to include younger women — but some people are concerned that one key age group has been excluded.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced on April 30 that women between ages 40 and 74 should get mammograms every other year.

This is a significant change from previous guidelines, which said women should begin biennial mammograms at age 50, but could opt to begin as young as 40.

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Some experts object to the fact that the agency doesn’t include official screening recommendations for women older than 74.

“The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older,” the agency stated in the guidance.

Dr. Denise Pate, medical director with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to LabFinder, voiced her disagreement with the lack of mammogram recommendations for older women.

“I think it is an antiquated view that sells short the potential of women older than 75,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“The recommendations consider that the older population may be over-diagnosed, potentially with slow-growing breast cancers — but this does not take into account the increase in life expectancy for American women.”

A woman who is 75 right now has a life expectancy of 87, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Lack of research

One of the main reasons that women over 74 were excluded is that the age group was not included in clinical trials.

“When the major randomized controlled trials were performed in the 1970s and 1980s to show how effective mammograms are, they didn’t include enough women in those age groups to confirm their necessity,” Dr. Jacqueline Holt, medical director of women’s imaging for national radiology provider RadNet in Wilmington, Delaware, told Fox News Digital.

One of the main reasons that women over age 74 were excluded is that the age group was not included in clinical trials. (iStock)

“Cancer risk doesn’t drop off at 74 — the risk increases,” she said. 

“It’s misinformation that cancers grow slower in this age group and that women will die of something else first.”

Risks vs. benefits

The primary risk noted for screening older women is the potential for false positives.

“The potential harms of breast cancer screening in older women include false positive results and overdiagnosis,” said one study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.

“Cancer risk doesn’t drop off at 74 — the risk increases.”

Among women 75 years and older, 200 out of 1,000 who are screened over a 10-year period will experience a “false alarm,” the researchers noted, “which can cause pain, anxiety and distress.”

Pate acknowledged that this risk does exist.

“Of course, with continued screening, there is the continued risk of finding breast cancer in an earlier stage or finding a suspicious image that prompts recommendations for biopsy, proving to be a false positive — and this can cause a lot of anxiety,” she said. 

The risks of not screening are “leaving these women in the dark about their status,” a doctor said. (iStock)

The risks of not screening, however, are “leaving these women in the dark about their status,” the doctor said.

“As I always explain to my patients, knowledge is power,” Pate told Fox News Digital. 

“I would rather choose anxiety about a biopsy that may or may not prove breast cancer versus anxiety of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for a cancer that is found too late due to lack of screening.”

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Holt agrees the benefits outweigh the risks.

“The primary risk that the USTF focuses on is anxiety due to false positives or callbacks that don’t lead to a diagnosis of cancer,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“The death rate has decreased by at least 40% since 1995, thanks to mammographic screenings finding the cancer earlier and better treatment.”

“The death rate has decreased by at least 40% since 1995, thanks to mammographic screenings finding the cancer earlier and better treatment,” a doctor said. (iStock)

Women do have the option to continue screening beyond the age of 74 if they choose, the doctors noted — and this should be covered by their insurance plan.

“There is no cut-off for age,” Holt noted. “Medicare will still cover the cost of a mammogram.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) all recommend mammograms starting at age 40.  

“Age alone should not be the basis to continue or discontinue screening.”

“Each of these three groups bases its stop age on a woman’s life expectancy and not simply on their age,” Pate noted.

The ACS has stated that women should continue receiving mammograms as long as they are in overall good health and expect to live for another 10 years or more. 

More than one-quarter of cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women 75 years and older, according to ACOG.

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“Age alone should not be the basis to continue or discontinue screening,” according to a statement from ACOG.

“Beyond age 75 years, the decision to discontinue screening mammography should be based on a shared decision-making process informed by the woman’s health status and longevity.”

More than one-quarter of cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women 75 years and older, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (iStock)

Dr. Wanda Nicholson, chair of the USPSTF, sent a statement to Fox News Digital about the decision to omit women over age 74 in the recommendations.

“Women deserve to know what the science says about how they can best stay healthy as they age,” she said. 

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“We looked carefully at all the available evidence about whether women who are 75 and older should be screened for breast cancer, but unfortunately, the available research was limited.”

“Women deserve to know what the science says about how they can best stay healthy as they age,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“None of the studies of breast cancer screening included women in this age group, so we are urgently calling for more evidence on this important population.”

She added, “In the meantime, we encourage women who are 75 and older to talk with a trusted health care professional about what preventive care is right for them, given their specific health circumstances.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the ACOG and the ACS requesting additional comment.

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