In Love with that New Car Smell?

What Are VOCs?

Organic compounds are chemicals that contain carbon and are found in all living things. Volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs, are organic compounds that easily become vapors or gases. Along with carbon, they contain elements like chlorine, fluorine, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, bromine or nitrogen.

VOCs include compounds like formaldehyde, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants, and phthalic acid esters (phthalates), which are emitted from materials and finishes used to make car interiors—things like plastics, textiles, seat cushions, glues, sealants, wood and leather.

Can VOCs Make You Sick?

The known health effects of VOCs on humans vary from highly toxic to none at all. For many, exposure to these substances can make allergy and asthma symptoms worse and cause eye, nose and throat irritation as well as coughs, headaches, flu-like symptoms and even skin irritation. Some, like formaldehyde, also are known to cause cancer and neurological effects.

So What to Do?

You can’t very well reduce VOCs with house plants in your car like you can do at home, but there is good news. Automakers are now working to reduce VOCs. For example, Toyota plans to increase its usage of low-VOC paints and is working with suppliers to reduce formaldehyde, and Ford is now using soy-based foam instead of petroleum-based. If you suspect VOCs may be in your vehicle, there are steps you can take to reduce them:

• Try letting your car “bake out” by airing out in the hot sun with the windows down and then thoroughly cleaning the interior.
• You can also drive with windows down to help minimize the impact of hazardous chemicals, especially in the first six months of new car ownership.
• Even after your vehicle has off-gassed the worst of its chemical odors, you should still clean the interior often to remove any chemicals that continue to be released.