Indoor Air ...car

[Guest guest]

I thought I would repost this from another group since many people

here are mcs:

That new-car smell may be newest hazard

Chicago Tribune/Jim Mateja/April 24, 2007

One more item to add to the list of things that aren't good for your

health or the life expectancy of lab rats -- the family car.

Of course, everyone knows the dangers of cars. That's why federal

laws have been enacted to ensure they won't slip, skid, roll or

pollute to protect those inside and out.

But now comes word of dangers from just opening the door and

slipping inside -- the threat of the dreaded " new-car smell. "

Ask the Ecology Center, an environmental group concerned with what

enters the nose without being invited. It says that intoxicating new-

car smell, the buyers' delight, is hazardous to the health -- for

about three years from initial purchase.

If there's one thing that makes taking on 48 to 60 monthly payments

for a vehicle enjoyable, it's replacing the accumulated odors from

the things growing under the seats and in the trunk with that

heavenly aroma of newness.

But, we now learn, inhaling the fungus from year-old fries is merely

unpleasant, while inhaling the new-car fumes can be sickening.

The Ecology Center says rather than get in the car, take a deep

breath and enjoy, you should get in and open all the windows before

taking any breath.

The Ecology Center tested more than 200 new 2006 and 2007 models to

come up with its first guide to toxic chemicals in cars.

Of primary concern are bromine used for flame retardants, chlorine

used in plasticizers and lead used in plastics, as well as arsenic,

copper, mercury and nickel that have been linked to allergies, birth

defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer.

The Ecology Center measured the gases or fumes given off by interior

parts and components that contribute to the new-car smell.

In each vehicle 15 components were tested: steering wheel, shift

knob, armrest/center console, dashboard, headliner, carpet, seat

front, seat back, seat base, hard door trim, soft door trim, body

sealer, wiring, window seal and wheel weights.

Components sampled were those most likely to be touched or otherwise

meet with human exposure.

Considering the average consumer spends more than 1.5 hours in a car

every day, toxic chemical exposure is a major threat, the group

says, though noting that people are subject to the same chemicals at

home, work or school.

In its study, the Ecology Center found the 10 least toxic vehicles

are the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser,

Honda Odyssey, Nissan Frontier, Suzuki Aerio wagon, Toyota Matrix,

and Volvo S40 and V50.

The worst? The Chevy Aveo, Express and Silverado; Hyundai Accent;

Kio Rio and Spectra; Nissan Versa; Scion xB; Subaru Forester; and

Suzuki Forenza.

The complete list of cars tested is at

www.healthycar.org/press.releases.php.

The good news, the Ecology Center says, is that automakers are

replacing the harmful chemicals with non-toxic ones all on their own.

The even better news, according to Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology

Center's Clean Car campaign director, is that most of the problems

are easy to avoid because they surface when the passenger cabin is

exposed to heat -- like being parked in the sun.

So the solution is simple, Gearhart says.

" Don't park in the sun, and if you do, use a solar screen along the

windshield to reduce heat getting into the cabin. And before driving

on a warm day, first open the windows and doors to ventilate the car

for 10 minutes.

Also, clean the cabin frequently by vacuuming and washing the

windows because the greasy film on the inside windows is residue

from the chemicals, " Gearhart said. Or buy 4-year-old cars.