(NaturalHealth365)  Most of us take our cars for granted. We fill them up, try to keep them clean, and spend a good share of our monthly budget paying for them.  While some of us are only in our vehicles for a short period of time each day as we take our kids to and from school or commute to and from work, others spend hours a day as part of their jobs.  We all know how toxic a car’s exhaust can be, but did you know that the interior of your car is full of toxic chemicals that are damaging your body every time you get inside?

From the carpets to the plastics, there are literally chemicals everywhere.

Did you know that air inside your car is worse than outside?

When you get into your car, you are exposed to whatever airborne chemicals are being released by the materials inside your vehicle.  If you drive with the air conditioner on, you force even more airborne contaminants into the toxic fishbowl you are riding around in.

The longer you drive, the more you are exposed to pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene.  It seems there is no escape from the dangerous pollutants.  Most cars are full of materials that release these chemicals, even the environmentally friendly ones that are supposed to be so good for the environment.

Reason for concern: Hundreds of chemicals found inside vehicles, many are known carcinogens

Both formaldehyde and benzene are well-known carcinogens.  Another carcinogen found in most vehicles is TDCIPP (chlorinated tris).  This is a flame retardant that is used in the manufacturing of most of the textiles that are used in vehicles.  Prolonged exposure to these three chemicals alone can dramatically increase your risk of cancer on many different levels.

The number of toxic chemicals found in your car’s cabin is lengthy, each one steadily increasing your risk of illness and disease.  Some of the biggest offenders are polyvinyl chloride (PVC), brominated flame retardants, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals like lead.

Take these SIMPLE steps to reduce your exposure

You can try to reduce your exposure to this horrendous toxic soup of chemicals in your vehicle by opening your windows while you drive.  Keep the air moving by leaving your windows down whenever possible.  Every time you shut your windows and lock your car, the levels of toxins will build up again until you open the door and re-establish ventilation.

What else can you do?  Assists your body with removing toxins by improving your hydration and spending plenty of time outside in fresh air.  When you are in your car, chemicals are trapped inside and you will breathe them in.  To detoxify, spend as much time in well-ventilated areas as possible.  Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fresh, clean water every day and practicing deep-breathing exercises to clean out your lungs.

Be sure to maintain a robust immune system

In addition to flushing toxins from your body through hydration and deep breathing, you also need to include foods rich in antioxidants in your diet.  Goji berries, blueberries, artichokes, dark chocolate, and red cabbage are just a few antioxidant-rich foods that will help to clear the free radicals out of your body.  It’s also important to include vitamins, minerals, and fiber to keep your body functioning at peak performance.  Sufficient sleep and regular exercise are essential if you expect the immune system to work overtime in protecting your body from these toxins you are constantly being exposed to.

We may not be able to get rid of our vehicles, but we can control how we care for our bodies.  Be proactive.  It’s hard for us to know every chemical or toxin we are exposed to on a daily basis.  The key is to do everything we can to keep our bodies as healthy as possible.  Eat a healthy diet, exercise daily, take a few deep breaths, and when you are in the car, open your windows.  Let the fresh air in and the toxic air out!

Sources for this article include:

MedicineNet.com
ChildrensHealthDefense.org
Healthline.com