Some people find the scent of a new car to be a luxurious experience, but a recent study by a team of engineers and occupational health scientists found that the volatile fumes produced by the newly crafted surfaces and upholstery can harm people's health, especially with prolonged exposure in higher temperatures.
The group reports their findings in the new study, titled "Observation, Prediction, and Risk Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds in a Vehicle Cabin Environment," which is published in Cell Reports.
Chemicals in a New Car Increases Cancer Risk
Researchers from China and the US have discovered that a new car parked outside for 12 days had high levels of cancer-causing chemicals that surpassed safe limits, Science Alert reported.
Researchers explained in their study that the cumulative Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) of the volatile organic chemicals discovered within the automobile was high enough to constitute a "high health risk for drivers" in their study.
They clarify that an ILCR of 10-6 or below is typically regarded as safe, whereas 10-6 to 10-4 suggests a possible danger and greater than 10-4 indicates a severe potential health risk.
The researchers conducted a field experiment and discovered that levels of known and probable carcinogens changed inside a sealed car where the weather ranged from sunny to cloudy.
They estimated that taxi drivers and passengers, who spend 11 hours and 1.5 hours in a car each day, respectively, are exposed to volatile organic compounds that can be absorbed through the skin or ingested but are mostly inhaled.
The experiment used a mid-sized SUV that was fitted with plastic, imitation leather, woven cloth, and felt. These materials release a range of volatile organic compounds into the air when they are fresh off the production line, a process known as off-gassing.
A 2021 research from California also found that driving in a new automobile for only 20 minutes can expose people to dangerous levels of benzene and formaldehyde, with the health dangers increasing for those with longer commutes.
Identifying the Chemicals in the New Car
Previous studies have suggested that certain chemicals released by new cars, such as formaldehyde, could pose a health risk to drivers. To investigate this further, Phys.org reports that the researchers conducted a study on a brand-new, midsize, plug-in hybrid SUV parked outside for 12 consecutive days.
They used gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy to analyze the air samples taken from the car and identify the chemicals present and found 20 chemicals that had come from components used to make the vehicle.
The amounts of these chemicals varied depending on surface temperatures inside the car and the researchers noted that throughout the study, environmental conditions changed, with air temperatures ranging from 21°C to 63°C.
The study found that the levels of formaldehyde (a compound present in disinfectants, germicides, and gas stoves) exceeded Chinese national safety standards by 35%.
Meanwhile, acetaldehyde, a class II potential carcinogen, was discovered in amounts that were 61% higher than permissible limits. Although benzene (a carcinogen prevalent in paints, gasoline, and cigarettes) surpassed what would be considered harmful levels for long-distance drivers, passengers were unaffected.
The researchers suggested that new car buyers should ride with the windows open to reduce exposure to these chemicals. Overall, the study highlights the potential health risks associated with new cars, especially for those who spend long hours driving or riding in them, and the importance of taking steps to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.
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