That New Car Smell

Dear Lowdown:

Every car comes with that “new car smell”. I would like to know what causes that smell and if it is harmful to breathe it for too long.

Nils Clausen (Chicago)



Mr. Clausen:

Well you came up a bit short on your effort to ask a question, but I will still attempt to answer your statement, for I too would like to know what causes the “new car smell”. Ordinarily, those most concerned about the new car smell are those who can afford new cars, but I still must commend your curiosity in this matter. As it turns out, there is much uncertainty and even some controversy about the issue of the new car smell.

Some believe that the new car smell is intentionally added to vehicles to entice potential buyers. This is, in fact, not the case. The new car smell is not purposefully added, rather it is simply a byproduct of the chemical manufacturing process of certain leathers and most plastics. It turns out that the smell that many find so delightful is actually the combined effect of millions of molecules known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs emanate off of the produced surfaces in the interior of new cars at levels as much as thirty five times the legal health limit for building interiors. These extreme levels usually only last several months, but in extreme heat, the VOC levels can return to dangerous levels even after as long as three years. In general, studies show no short term consequences of exposure to these substances, but with a name as scary as Volatile Organic Compounds, there has to be some risk. Analysis of the air in new cars has revealed the presence of several known toxins whose names I recommend you not even try to pronounce. Highly processed leathers and plastics in new cars give off toxins with scary names like ethyl benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde.

Overall, there does not appear to be any short term fatally toxic effects of the new car smell, though it has been proven to aggravate an immune response associated with allergies, potentially causing headaches and nausea, among other symptoms. People with allergies may experience some discomfort during and after prolonged exposure to new car smell, but outside of that, there does not appear to be any short term effects worth worrying about. Studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency have failed to show any short term risks of exposure outside of the discomfort associated with allergic immune responses. There is little to no risk of immediate death from the chemicals present in the inside air of a new car, but different levels of sensitivity could yield differing personal results.

Several of the VOCs in new car smell have been identified as known carcinogens, but it is unknown whether the concentration is high enough to have a long-term effect on humans. No published research exists on the long-term effect on humans of the new car smell, though there may have been unpublished research suppressed by automobile manufacturers before it could get out to the public. It would make sense for car manufacturers to keep negative findings under wraps because resulting legislation restricting the amount of VOCs that are acceptable in a new vehicle would inevitably cost all of the companies a significant amount of money. Finances may have once again taken priority over human wellbeing. If this possibility does not satisfy you, I challenge you to take the initiative to facilitate your own long term study and publish your results.

Though most automobile producing corporations refuse to comment on new car smell issues, at least one has taken steps to reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds in the interior air of their vehicles. Toyota has managed to decrease the concentration of volatile organic compounds to near-normal levels, though safety is still not Toyota’s strong point given the recent acceleration and braking malfunctions. If you are comparing Toyota to another automobile manufacturer, it is a matter of what is least appealing to you: dying from cancer many years down the road, or being unable to stop your vehicle at any given moment.

With enough money, there are other ways to get away from the small risk of VOCs altogether. With enough money, they become a nonissue. Maserati interiors contain no plastics or cheaply produced leathers, only natural leathers and exotic woods. With these premium materials, there are much fewer Volatile Organic Compounds released. The only catch is that the starting price for a Maserati is more than one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Another expensive way out of the new car smell dilemma is to buy a convertible, which also have few concerns about interior air quality (though in many urban areas, exterior air is just as much a concern). In the end you will have to make your own decision based on your own sensitivity and situation.

Automobile manufacturers say that VOCs are harmless and not likely to cause any damage, though for all we know, they could potentially cause cancer. If you cannot handle this uncertainty, then go buy a Maserati. If you cannot afford a Maserati maybe you should just ride a bike. If you cannot ride a bike, then you may have more certain health concerns than this uncertain matter of the new car smell.

Sincerely,

Alex Rinholm






Works Cited

Choi, Charles Q. "That New-Car Smell? Not Toxic, Study Finds | LiveScience." LiveScience | Science, Technology, Health & Environmental News. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. .

"EPA - Human Health." US Environmental Protection Agency. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2011. .

Richard, Michael Graham, Ottawa, and Canada. "Beware: That New Car Smell is Toxic! : TreeHugger." TreeHugger. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. .