Someone people I know love the smell of a new car, but as it turns out, the smell of a new car could potentially be hazardous.
According to research from the Ecology Center, some new cars had chemicals 5 to 10 times higher than the level allowed in homes.
The source for a new car’s unique scent come from its materials—the plastics, leather and fabrics that release their scents and chemicals into the interior of the car and gradually fade with time.
When automakers build a car, they may treat the interior with a variety of substances including arsenic on fabric, chromium on leather and chlorine and lead on PVC plastics. These chemicals have been linked to allergies, impaired learning, liver toxicity and even cancer.
Because Americans spend more than 1.5 hours a day in their car, drivers could be at risk for serious health problems from new car chemicals. What’s more alarming is that heat and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause chemicals within your car to break down into new compounds that are also dangerous to your health.
Currently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not offer many guidelines on the concentration of chemicals within a car’s interior; however, according to the Ecology Center’s report on chemicals in your car, some automakers are taking steps to eliminate harmful chemicals.
While more studies are needed to confirm the existence of potentially dangerous levels of toxins inside new cars, there are a few things you can do minimize your exposure. According to HealthyCar.org, the organization spearheading the movement to eliminate chemicals in new cars, you should avoid heat and leaving your car in the sun. You also should also keep your car free of dust and objects on which dust can collect.
But before you skip purchasing a new car, you should know that some cars have significantly safer levels of chemicals than others. So here are the best and worst picks for cars, ranked based on the Ecology Center’s 2009 study.
Best Picks:
1. Pontiac G5
2. Chevy Cobalt
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Honda Accord
5. Nissan Cube Krom
6. Honda Insight Hybrid
7. Jeep Wrangler
8. Toyota Prius
9. Honda Civic Hybrid
10. Acura TSX
Worst Picks
1. Chevy Aveo
2. Mitsubishi Eclipse
3. Hyundai Tuscon
4. Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder
5. Volkswagen Jetta
6. Chevy Impala
7. Volkswagen Beetle
8. Volkswagen Eos
9. Ford Expedition
10. Audi TT Roadster 2.0 FWD
[Source: HealthyStuff.org]
{ 1 comment }
I agree, the Cobalt is not only safe and fuel efficient, but it doesn’t overload your senses with the new car smell. Here’s some cobalts i found that are pretty inexpensive http://www.londoff.com/ou/florissant-chevrolet//console.do?page=l_new_inventory&make=Chevrolet&model=Cobalt&lockNewUsed=New&stockType=New&view=expanded&pageSize=20&dealerId=%5B2664_1324%5D
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