New Car Smell Is Toxic?

One wonders how much these measurements vary from car to car of the same model, depending, for example, on which interior materials were selected. For example cloth seats vs. leather vs. vinyl.

I suspect that cloth is the least offending material, but it will let out the VOCs (volitle organic compounds) faster as it’s more porus. Leather itself isn’t bad, but it’s treated with lots of stuff. Also, keep in mind that tons of plastics and the like emit these things, like the stuff under carpet, adhesives and on and on. But it’s truely complicated to know what is least harmful: For example, when driving a rag top with the top down, you get exposed to lots and lots more particulates and the like because the air isn’t filtered…. I have no clue what’s worse!

Matt

Yes, smoking is bad. Yes, our children should wear bike helmets. Yes, driving faster then the speed limit is potentially hazardous. Yes, healthy is good for you. Yes, Yes, Yes. Having said that; Give me a break.

While the smell in a “new” car may be (at some level) not nessesarily good for you, I suspect that Big Mac you wolfed down at lunch will have a more immediate and longer lasting effect on your healh then any new car smell.

This group claims to have a database of over 900 hundred cars. Wow, I really can’t imagine. This sounds like fertile ground for the ABA and trial lawyers.

I did note that for a $30 donation they will send you a nice pair of organic socks and a thank you note…

If new car smell is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Let’s see now, new car smell is a health hazard now, right? I wonder how long the enviromentalists took to dream up this one. Myself, in my lifetime I’ve had over 9 new cars, and over 20 company new cars. The new car smell never once gave me head aches, or any other ailments. But, if some idiot told me beforehand, I probably would have felt something, maybe that is.

Now I’ve had my 2011 JCW Hatch and no problems, and there is still a little new car smell there. And I enjoy every minute of it. Now I suppose they will say that it will cause cancer. What rubbish!!

Oops didn’t notice the link, they did publish their methodology; ignore my first sentence.

Tons of stuff emits volatile compounds that are pretty nasty. There is no debate about this. What is of concern in places where these vapors can concentrate. That’s why the post about ventilation being key is right on the money. Start to drive with the windows open, or the vent blower. Get cabin filters with activated charcoal instead of the cheaper ones without…..

The levels of emitted toxins is getting lower, in general, and this is a good thing. But they will never be totally eliminated. And this is a fact of life.

Now, thinking that this is some huge conspiracy created to increase government intrusion, or some other total load of unsupported BS, is just a waste of effort. Instead, it’s helpful to think of awareness of the potential impacts of VOCs more as a result of increased understanding. Kind of like learning that germs carry disease, or that arsenic isn’t really good for you, or getting lead out of gas, paint and plumbing is a pretty good idea. We know more than we did, and it’s only prudent to use our knowledge to make better decisions.

In the spectrum of relative risk, should this be on the top of your list? No, definitely not. But that’s not the point. The point is that very minor changes in how we use our new cars can have a significant impact on our exposure. These changes in behavior are even more important for those that have babies or young children in the car.

Don’t want to change what you do? Fine…. Like “new car smell”? fine… But knowing about it is better than not knowing. One can make an informed decision.