Toxic Warning Issued to Americans Driving in Hot Weather

That “new car smell” that you love so much could be bad for your health, scientists have warned, especially in the summer.

“New car smell” is caused by a mix of around 50 different chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. “Volatile” refers to their ability to turn into a gas at relatively low temperatures, which then makes its way into our nostrils.

These volatile chemicals include toluene, used in paints, glues and nail polish removers; styrene, used in rubber, insulation and carpet backing; and formaldehyde, which is used in carpets, leather and vehicle paint.

Previous research has shown that inhaling these chemicals can cause a range of health problems, from nausea and headaches to memory loss, hormonal disruption and cancer. The severity of these symptoms depends on exposure, which is determined by various factors, including how new the car is, how much time you spend in it and the surrounding temperature.

In a study published in the journal PNAS Nexus, researchers from the Beijing Institute of Technology and Peking University measured how hot weather can influence the release of these chemicals in car cabins during a seven-day working week, with outdoor air temperatures ranging from 77.5 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many of these VOCs were present at concentrations exceeding national safety limits for indoor air pollution, with particularly high concentrations of formaldehyde, sometimes at twice the Chinese national concentration limit for passenger vehicle cabins.

Short-term formaldehyde exposure has been associated with burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation.

Less is known about the long-term health effects of this chemical on the body. Several studies have shown links between occupational formaldehyde exposure and various types of cancer, including leukemia and brain tumors. However, it is unclear whether the concentrations of formaldehyde in cars would be enough to produce these effects.

To further explore the release of VOCs in car cabins, the researchers employed machine learning to identify which environmental factors made the most significant contribution to VOC emissions and to make predictions about in-cabin chemical concentrations and exposure.

Their model revealed that material surface temperature had the most significant influence on in-cabin VOC concentrations, compared with other factors like humidity, ventilation and air temperature. Ventilation was measured with the windows and doors closed, so opening the windows to encourage airflow is likely to significantly alter the influence of that flow on indoor VOC concentrations.

The authors hope that their model could be integrated with the control system of intelligent cars to minimize VOC exposure.

Is there a health problem that’s worrying you? Do you have a question about VOCs? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.