The basis of the interior trim consists of parts made of plastic with the addition of adhesive and sealing substances. They may contain organic compounds such as xylene or phenol, which are used as solvents for varnishes and paints, as well as in the creation of epoxy resins.
High concentrations of phenol are toxic and negatively affect the mucous membranes and nervous system of humans. Also, bromine and chlorine are present in car interiors. Bromine is used for finishing fire-resistant additives, and chlorine is part of the plasticizer that makes plastic more elastic.
Under the influence of direct sunlight, bromine enters the human body, which can cause hormonal disorders or even hearing loss. In turn, chlorine is harmful to the kidneys and liver.
And also do not forget about lead, which new cars are not scarce in. Its vapors are very dangerous and can even lead to disorders of the reproductive system.
Do you think the smell of natural leather is harmless? Not at all! Aldehydes are actively used in its processing. In large doses. And they are dangerous for the respiratory tract, irritate the mucous membranes and impair vision.
Among examples of the negative impact of the smell of a new car on a person, it is worth mentioning the incident that occurred in 2013 in the USA. A buyer of a new Tesla Model S electric car fell asleep right behind the wheel, as a result of which he fatally hit a cyclist. Of course, in our country this would be attributed to age (63 years), poor health, etc. But in America everything is somewhat different, so legal proceedings began, during which an examination and chemical analysis of the interior were carried out.
Speaking about the toxicity of new car interiors, it is necessary to mention the research of the HealthyStuff.org portal, which in 2012 conducted a chemical analysis of 800 cars and compiled a list of the most "clean" and "poisonous" models. It turned out that the "environmental cleanliness" of the interior does not always depend on the cost of the car. Proof of this is the fact that the far from cheap MINI became the first in terms of interior toxicity! While the more common and affordable Honda Civic, on the contrary, was named the most harmless for the driver and passengers.
Summarizing all the above, it remains to admit that, indeed, the older the car, the less toxic its interior. Regarding the question that interests many about Chinese cars, the following should be said: from year to year, the interior of cars from the Middle Kingdom becomes less and less poisonous, but at the moment many new Chinese cars still remain quite dangerous to human health.
To minimize the negative impact of the smell of a new car, it is recommended to stay in the car for no more than 1.5 hours a day during the first month of use. Otherwise, you can get a runny nose, lung problems, or increase the risk of cancer! And these are not jokes...
Finally, a few words about the air freshener "Smell of a new car". You are unlikely to find at least one such freshener that states the composition of the product. Yes, maybe you will find something, but these terms will tell you nothing. It is better not to indulge in such "fresheners", but to place a bag of coffee or some container in the car interior where you can pour essential oils. This will be much better than synthetic aromas...
