Thursday, March 22, 2007

"New Car Smell" chemicals pose serious health concerns for drivers

One of the best things about a new car is that “new car smell” that lingers for a few months in your vehicle. But what if those “new car smells” were actually toxic for your health? It’s claimed that hundreds of chemicals are released from materials inside your new car which contribute to the odor we all appreciate. Healthycar.org has issued a guide to inform consumers about the chemicals and toxins that are present in the assembly of a car.

The Michigan Ecology Center performed tests on 200 new models from 2006-2007 which were most popular in the United States. They tested any gases that might be released from the vehicle’s wheel, dash and seats. But there’s good news. Some cars’ smells are less toxic than others and some manufacturers actually began phasing out chemicals required to make thee indoor car parts. Chemicals of primary concern include: bromine (associated with flame retardants); chlorine; lead; and heavy metals. Such chemicals have been linked to a wide range of health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. Below are the 10 best and 10 worst of the cars that were tested. As if we don’t have enough things to think about when buying a new car, add this to the list. Via: Le Blog Auto & Michigan Ecology Center













Posted by:
Dani

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