HealthyCar.org: The Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA 
on 03.22.07
TreeHugger knows that air quality is worse inside cars than outside of them. That "new car smell" is the result of the steering wheel, dashboard, armrests, and seats (among other parts) off-gassing nasty things like chlorine, bromine, lead, mercury and other chemicals and toxins that are not good for breathing and not good for human health. A new organization, HealthyCar.org (a project of the Ecology Center), has launched as a consumer guide to healthier car interiors. They tested over 200 of the most popular 2006-2007 model year cars, and, using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence device, determined which are the most and least toxic. The Chevy Cobalt, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Honda Odyssey were among the best (least toxic) picks, while the Nissan Versa, Chevy Aveo and the Scion xB 5dr were among the worst. Download the full report here, or search by model to see where your ride places. If toxic chemicals in your cars' interior is a concern, the HealthyCar folks have some tips: since UV rays and heat accelerate the breakdown of toxic chemicals, they recommend using solar reflectors and parking in the shade, when possible; ventilating your car by opening the doors & windows before entering will also help. The best tip, though, is to just spend less time in your car, walking, biking, scooting or otherwise getting where you need to go without sitting down in a toxic off-gas incubator first. Stay tuned for info on car safety seats, coming April 24, and read more at ::HealthyCar.org via ::Gristmill
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"...since UV rays and heat accelerate the breakdown of toxic chemicals, they recommend using solar reflectors and parking in the shade..."
I'm confused, wouldn't you want to accelerate the breakdown of toxic chemicals? Or say, if you knew you weren't going to drive your car for a couple of days, throw it out in the sun for one of them, and put it in the shade and ventilate it for another?
Think of the volatile components of plastics and adhesives like perfume on clothes. The volatiles on interior surfaces leave rapidly when "baked" in the sun. Then , over night, the volatiles in the middle of plastic films, fabrics, and solid walls disperse to the surface and the process is repeated when the sun heats up the interior. Each time the "baking off" fo surface bolatiles occurs, the reservoir of volatiles below the surface becomes smaller and smaller until, like any other old car you've been in, the smell is "gone."
Rephrasing: the exposure is highest when the inside is hottest, but fades over time. About the time your car mats are looking worn, the exposure is next to nil.
Solution: buy a used car if you are really worried about it.
Compare the risk of climate change caused by car emissions to the risk of getting hurt in a car crash and to the risk of immune disruption from that "new car smell". No point in sweating the small stuff.
" Solution: buy a used car if you are really worried about it."
Better solution:
Sell your damned car if you care about the planet and your body. If we are not willing to adjust, what right do we have to call ourselves Treehuggers at all?
I just leased a 2007 Honda Odissey and since the 45 mts trip from the dealer to my house I've been feeling sick. The new car smell is worst than any car I ever had before, it's been only a week, but every day I drive the headache and nausea are unbearable. My husband felt the same the one time he drove. If I had bought the car, I would sell it, but I'm stuck for 3 years. Any advice?