Interior of a standalone Tesla Model 3
For some, there’s nothing as luxurious as the smell of a new car. That fragrance – a mix of fumes created by new surfaces and upholstery – can be nice, but prolonged exposure to higher temperatures comes at a cost for those who spend a lot of time in these vehicles.
Chinese and US researchers found that levels of a range of cancer-causing chemicals exceeded safe limits inside a new car parked outside for 12 days, the report reported. Science Alert.
Formaldehyde, a compound found in disinfectants, germicides and gas stoves, was detected at levels that exceeded Chinese national safety standards by 35%. O acetaldehydea probable class II carcinogen, was found in concentrations that exceeded safe limits by 61%.
Benzene, a carcinogen found in paint, gasoline and cigarettes, has also reached levels considered unsafe for drivers who spend long hours in cars.
Taken together, the Lifetime Incremental Cancer Risk (ILCR) from multiple volatile organic compounds detected inside a new used car was high enough to imply a “high risk to the health of drivers”.
“Generally, an ILCR of 10-6 or less is considered safe, between 10-6 and 10-4 indicates a potential risk, and greater than 10-4 indicates a high potential risk for health”, explained the researchers, in a study published recently in Cell Reports Physical Science.
Field experience revealed altered levels of known carcinogens inside a new car, in a location where the climate varied.
The study estimated the exposure of taxi drivers and passengers (who typically spend 11 hours and 1.5 hours in a car per day, respectively) to volatile (or airborne) compounds that can be absorbed through the skin or ingested, although they are in their mostly inhaled.
The mid-size SUV used in the experiment contained plastic, faux fur, fabric and felt. When these materials are new, they release a variety of volatile organic compounds into the air, a process known as “off gas”.
The researchers took air samples from the car and used gas chromatography mass spectroscopy to determine the concentrations of 20 chemicals at different times.
As the car warmed up during the day, its interior temperature fluctuated between 21°C and 63°C. Concentrations of volatile chemicals also took on a cyclical pattern, driven by surface temperature (rather than air temperature) inside the automobile.
One search above showed that only 20 minutes driving in a new car can expose people to unsafe amounts of benzene and formaldehyde, with increased health risks for those with longer commutes.
While the results certainly deserve attention, it’s worth bearing in mind that exposure to chemicals from new cars can be limited with some common sense measures. Alternatively, it is possible to opt for a second-hand car or use alternative transport.
ZAP // 
