New Cars Smell Might Give You Cancer

15 Apr 2023

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New Cars Smell Might Give You Cancer

A team of researchers from Harvard and the Beijing Institute of Technology conducted a study on the air quality inside new cars that were parked outdoors for a period of 12 days. The findings revealed that the levels of formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical, were 35% higher than the Chinese national safety standard. Furthermore, acetaldehyde, another substance known to cause cancer, was also found to be 61% above the recommended safety limit.

Individuals who spend 90 minutes or more in a car every day were found to be exposed to excessive amounts of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, exceeding the safety limits. The study also discovered that the levels of these hazardous chemicals increase during hot weather.

The researchers published their findings in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science, stating that their observations have contributed to a better understanding of the transport and emission systems of chemicals inside a vehicle.

Experts have cautioned that the scent of a new car is actually a harmful combination of toxic chemicals emanating from the seats, steering wheel, and dashboard.