Love New Car Smell? Those Are VOCs You're Inhaling!

For many new car owners, having a vehicle that gives off a “new car smell” is part of the ambiance.

Unfortunately, the aroma of a new car is caused by a cocktail of chemicals off-gassing. That’s when newly manufactured materials used to make the car release harmful chemicals into the air [1]. The fragrance we all know as “new car scent” is caused by formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and other chemicals associated with cancer [2]. So, what causes a new car smell, and how can we avoid it? Let’s take a drive down Science Lane to explore a little further!

 

What Is New Car Smell?

When you first slide into your brand-new vehicle and inhale that distinctive aroma, you're experiencing the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are aromatic molecules that we can inhale through our nose and mouth, accidentally ingest as we breathe, and absorb through our skin.

These harmful chemicals are released from various materials used in the car interior, including:

• Plastics
• Adhesives
• Leather
• Carpeting
• Paint
• Other components

When you drive a car off the lot, it depreciates. Not just in value but in VOCs, too! 

Brand-new materials used to build cars immediately start releasing VOCs. This happens more frequently with newer materials, which is why newer cars have much stronger odors than older cars. 

Why Are Toxic Chemicals Used In New Cars?

It’s hard to describe the scent of a new car offgassing, but many do note slight hints of “gasoline” within the aroma. This is no coincidence. Chemicals derived from petroleum (crude oil) are used to create many car parts. 

Petrochemicals are the building blocks for lightweight plastics in interior components, synthetic rubbers for tires, and even additives for paints and coatings. These materials make cars more affordable to produce and more fuel-efficient.

Add to this mix the flame retardants in seat foam and other components (there to meet safety standards), and you've got a unique blend of chemicals working together.

All these elements – plastics, flame retardants, paints, adhesives, and more – combine to create that unmistakable new car aroma. As these materials off-gas, especially in warm temperatures, they release a variety of VOCs into the air inside your vehicle. 

How to Get VOCs Out of A New Car

The scent of a new car might sound dreamy, but it can be a nightmare for your health. These chemicals can cause health issues ranging from headaches to more serious long-term effects. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to reduce VOC levels in your new car and create a healthier driving environment. Here are some practical solutions to help you minimize exposure and speed up the off-gassing process:

Don’t Park in the Sun If You’re Going to Be Using It Soon

The sun does more than heat up your skin. It can also heat the materials inside cars, including those that offgas VOCs. 

While it might seem intuitive to park your new car in the sun to accelerate the off-gassing process, this approach can actually be counterproductive and potentially harmful. If the windows are closed, it creates a more toxic environment for you to enter.

Don’t breathe in a cocktail of chemicals. Park your car in the shade on days you are using your car often, if possible. 

All that said, you can also accelerate offgassing by parking your car in the sun. Just make sure your car is in a safe place. Then, consider opening windows and doors. Try this in places you know are safe as often as possible until the new car scent goes away.

Wear A Mask and/or Gloves

Wearing a mask and/or gloves when driving new cars can be a smart precaution, especially for those sensitive to environmental toxicants. Masks with activated carbon filters can help trap airborne chemicals before they reach your respiratory system, potentially minimizing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Meanwhile, gloves prevent direct skin contact with surfaces that may be off-gassing chemicals, reducing absorption through the skin.

For individuals who work in car detailing or sales, this protective approach becomes even more crucial. These professionals are exposed to new car interiors and their associated chemicals on a daily basis, which can lead to cumulative effects over time. 

By consistently using masks and gloves, these workers can significantly reduce their long-term exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. It's a simple yet effective way to create a healthier work environment in an industry where chemical exposure is an ongoing concern.

Wash Hands Thoroughly

Take charge of your health by making hand washing a priority after every car trip, especially if you're driving a new vehicle. Give your hands a thorough wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. 

This quick action effectively removes potentially harmful substances that may have transferred from your car's surfaces - like the steering wheel, gear shift, and door handles - to your hands.

Also, no eating, smoking, or touching your face until you've washed your hands post-drive. These actions can create direct pathways for chemicals to enter your body. 

Deep Clean the Interior

Chemicals that have been released from car parts can linger on the seat, dashboard, steering wheel, and anything else that comes into contact with your body. Thoroughly clean your car's interior to remove excess chemicals and absorbed VOCs. 

Use a HEPA vacuum on all surfaces, including seats and carpets. For cloth seats, consider a shampoo extraction or steam cleaning with low-tox products. 

Wipe down hard surfaces with a mixture of water and vinegar or a gentle, VOC-free cleaner. 

Drive with the Windows Open

Your car needs to be aired out! Drive with the windows open whenever possible, especially if you have a new car. 

In some areas, outdoor air pollution can be a problem. Even then, opening windows is advisable as you are in closer contact with the harmful chemicals within your car than you are with those in the air outside. 

If your car is in a safe place, consider parking with your windows cracked open. Every little bit of fresh air can help offset the accumulation of harmful chemicals inside your car. 

Get A Portable Air Purifier

Consider using a portable air purifier designed for vehicles. Look for models with both HEPA filtration to remove particulate matter and activated carbon filters to address VOCs and odors. 

Place the purifier in a secure location within your car. Run the air purifier while driving to clean the air inside the cabin continuously.

Use Absorption Materials

Place VOC-absorbing materials strategically around your vehicle. Activated charcoal is particularly effective and can be found in the form of bags or fabric [3]. 

Other options include zeolite minerals or baking soda [4]. These materials can help absorb VOCs, especially when the car needs to be closed due to weather or security concerns.

Buy A Car That’s Over Two Years Old

When it comes to minimizing your exposure to VOCs in your vehicle, time is truly on your side. The off-gassing process is most intense during the first few months after a car is manufactured, with about 80% of VOCs released within the first three months [5]. However, it can take up to two years for the levels of these chemicals to significantly decrease and stabilize.

If you're particularly sensitive to toxicants or simply want to reduce your exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals, consider purchasing a used car that's at least two years old. By this time, the majority of off-gassing will have already occurred, and the "new car smell" will have largely dissipated. 

This approach not only provides a healthier driving environment but can also be more cost-effective. Plus, you'll be doing your part for the environment by extending the life cycle of an existing vehicle rather than driving demand for new production.

Health Effects of Car Interior Offgassing

There’s nothing fresh about the scent of a new car. While the aroma may be appealing to your nose, it’s not appealing to the rest of your body.

VOCs in new cars can cause many short-term health effects, including:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Nausea
• Difficulty concentrating
• Skin reactions
• Respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma or allergies

These symptoms often go away once you leave a car. If you are experiencing any of them, consider rolling the window down. In some instances, you may want to pull over if symptoms subside, especially if you are feeling dizzy or are having trouble breathing. Please call emergency support for help.

The long-term effects of VOCs in new cars are sneakier. Their effects can add up over time, causing serious health concerns. 

Common long-term health effects of VOCs associated with car parts include:

• Chronic respiratory problems
• Liver and kidney damage
• Neurological system impairment
• Increased cancer risk

It's worth noting that while the concentration of these chemicals typically decreases over time, studies have shown that some cars can continue to off-gas harmful substances for years after manufacture. Drive with your windows open as much as possible, and wash your hands when you exit your car. 

What Is the Chemical Smell In My Car?

If you ever read a drink menu, you know all of the ingredients within the cocktail you’re drinking. When it comes to inhaling chemicals in new cars, it’s a guessing game as to what compounds are causing this familiar aroma. Let’s take a closer look at the chemicals associated with new cars. 

Primary VOCs in new cars include:

• Styrene: Used to create polystyrene plastics and resins. Has been linked to eye irritation and, over the long term, can impact the central nervous system [6]. 
• Ethylbenzene: Used to produce styrene and plastics. Linked to acute respiratory effects and long-term blood, liver, and kidney effects [7]. 
• Benzene: Used in the production of plastics, rubber, and synthetic fibers in cars, benzene exposure can cause dizziness, confusion, and headaches in the short term and has been linked to an increased risk of leukemia with long-term exposure [8].
• Xylene: Offgasses from plastics and adhesives. It may cause throat/nose irritation and has been associated with damage to concentration, memory, and vision [9].
• Toluene: Released from paints, adhesives, and plastics. It can burn the eyes and skin and have long-term effects on the nervous, respiratory, and blood systems [10].
• Formaldehyde: Used in adhesives, plastics, and textiles in new cars, formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat and is classified as a known human carcinogen linked to nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia [11].
• Acetaldehyde: Found in plastics and other car interior materials, acetaldehyde can enter the body through inhalation, affecting blood vessels, lungs, and heart, with repeated exposure potentially causing severe lung damage and cancer [12].
• Cyclohexanone: Used in the production of nylon and other synthetic materials in cars, cyclohexanone is a possible carcinogen that can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system [13].

In addition, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are also commonly used to manufacture new cars for their water and stain-repellent properties. Also known as “forever chemicals,”

PFAS exposure has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, hormonal imbalances, lowered immunity, and developmental effects in children [14].

Is New Car Smell Dangerous?

Getting a new car can be exciting, and the smell that comes along with this purchase can add to the excitement. However, the excitement isn't long-lived if you understand the dangers caused by chemicals that contribute to the new car smell. If possible, buy a car that's at least two years old. This will help you avoid the most harmful effects caused by the off-gassing of VOCs from new car parts. If you have a new car, consider wearing a mask and gloves and opening the window as much as possible. Every little bit counts in reducing your harmful chemical exposure! 

Resources

[1] https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a36970626/science-new-car-smell/
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666386423001431?via%3Dihub
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667056923000147
[4] https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/9/1/98
[5] https://www.smh.com.au/national/new-car-sickness-20100213-gdtvhz.html
[6] https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/styrene.pdf
[7] https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-09/documents/ethylbenzene.pdf
[8] https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/benzene.html
[9] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2996004/
[10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592508/
[11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597630/
[12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590821/
[13] https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0570.pdf
[14] https://factor.niehs.nih.gov/2020/8/papers/pfas