Many of us love the smell of a new car’s interior. But have you ever stopped to consider what that smell actually is?
More importantly, does the ‘new car smell’ pose a risk to your health?
Worryingly, the answer to that question is ‘yes’, according to the emissions and efficiency specialists at Emissions Analytics.
The British firm argues that a car’s interior has the capacity to emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over the life of the vehicle. The ‘new car smell‘ has ‘typically been ignored, partly because it has been difficulty to measure’, it says.
Until now. Thanks to recent advances in technology, it’s now possible to measure the effects of VOCs in a car’s interior over the lifetime of the vehicle. There are dozens of VOCs to consider, including:
- Residual compounds from the manufacturing process and material treatment of different interior compounds and textiles
- Adhesives and carrier solvents that will de-gas – as much as 2kg of adhesives can be found in a modern car
- Degradation of cabin materials as a result of oxidation, ultraviolet light and heat
Acetaldehyde is a particular problem. Exposure can cause ‘flush reactions’, such as itchiness, blotchiness and a flushed complexion. Asian people possess less functional acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking it down.
What’s in that ‘new car smell’?
This is why cars sold in China, Japan and Korea are the subject of strict VOC regulations. Consider the substances outlined in the following table and you might not look at your car’s interior the same way again. The majority are regulated in Asian countries.
| Analyte | Symptoms |
| Formaldehyde | Respiratory irritant and a contributory factor in asthma and cancer |
| Acetaldehyde | Flush reaction (as outlined above) |
| Acrolein | Highly toxic and severely irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and skin |
| Benzene | Known carcinogen |
| Ethylbenzene | Can cause throat irritation and dizziness |
| Xylene | Causes headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea |
| Styrene | Causes headaches |
| Toluene | Commonly known as nail polish remover – can cause headaches and nausea |
| Tetradecane | Irritating to the eyes, mucous membrane and upper respiratory tract |
In partnership with Anatune, Emissions Analytics tested a nearly-new Hyundai i10. The car was tested every 15 minutes for 60 seconds over five hours on an early summer’s day.
There were two principle outcomes: a steady accumulations of ten VOCs as temperatures rose, and the unexpected dynamic of emissions during the final 15 minutes.
In particular, methanol and acetone rose from very low base points to more significant levels. While methanol is a common solvent and not directly regulated, it is toxic and could be an irritant.
Of even greater concern is the concentration of acetaldehyde, which rose to more than 10 TIMES the regulated limit in China and Japan.
‘Market failure’
Emissions Analytics is calling for more research: ‘From a vehicle testing perspective, the ability to detect and speciate different analytes in real time opens up the possibility for more extensive research of exposure and the potential for regulation to reduce detrimental health exposures.
‘It could also assist driver education in respect of ‘VOC build-up’ when a vehicle is parked in hot weather.’
The company is calling for regulations to reflect where there is ‘market failure’, and for greater consumer awareness. Whether or not you like the ‘new car smell’, it looks like we’re set to learn more about its effects on our health.
