new car smell is toxic

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http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/01/31/toxic_cars/index.html

Environmental group contends drivers, passengers are breathing dangerous

chemicals found in car interiors; calls for new regs. January 31, 2006; Posted:

8:09 a.m. EST (1309 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - A Michigan environmental group is charging that at

least part of the so-called " new car smell " is toxic, and that the interior of

an automobile has dangerous levels of various chemicals.

The report, " Toxic at any speed, " comes from The Ecology Center, an Ann Arbor,

Mich.-based group. It reports that PBDEs, used as fire retardants, and

phthalates, used primarily to soften PVC plastics, are found in dangerous

amounts in dust and windshield film samples.

It called for tougher regulations to phase out the use of the

chemicals as well as voluntary moves by the auto manufacturers to stop using the

products inside of new vehicles.

It also suggested that car owners take steps to reduce the release and

breakdown of these chemicals by using solar reflectors, ventilating car

interiors, and parking outside of sunlight whenever possible.

The group says that phthalates are partly responsible for the smell associated

with new cars.

Drivers and passengers are exposed to these chemicals through inhalation and

contact with dust, according to the group's report.

" These groups of chemicals have been linked to birth defects, impaired

learning, liver toxicity, premature births and early puberty in laboratory

animals, among other serious health problems, " according to the report.

" We can no longer rely just on seatbelts and airbags to keep us safe in cars, "

said a statement from Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Clean Car Campaign

Director who co-authored the report. " Our research shows that autos are chemical

reactors, releasing toxins before we even turn on the ignition. There are safer

alternatives to these chemicals, and innovative companies that develop them

first will likely be rewarded by consumers. "

The group found Volvo was found to have the lowest levels of phthalates and

the second-lowest levels of PBDEs, which it said made the Ford Motor Co.

(Research)-owned unit the industry leader in terms of indoor air quality. Volvo

also has the toughest policies for phasing out these chemicals.

Other auto manufacturers had more mixed records on the two types of chemicals,

according to the group's survey. For example, Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai

had the lowest level of PBDEs, but the highest level of phthalates.

The group said it was told by Ford officials that the auto manufacturer has

eliminated PBDEs from " interior components that customers may come into contact

with. " Ford had among the lowest level of PBDEs in its vehicles, and General

Motors (Research) and BMW vehicles also had lower-than-average levels for all

chemicals tested. But Mercedes, Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru had

higher-than-average levels of both PBDEs and phthalates.

In response to the study, one industry group defended the use of PBDEs as an

important contributor to vehicle safety.

The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum said in a statement that PBDEs

known as Deca-BDE have been extensively studied in the U.S. and Europe --

including a 10-year-long risk assessment -- and found to be safe for continued

use.

" If automobile manufacturers follow the guidance in the report, it could

result in lowering fire safety for the public, as well as promoting the use of

unidentified alternative substances about which very little may be known, " said

the group's statement. It said it is crucial that autos have the best possible

flame retardants available in case of accidents.

" In 2004 alone, there were approximately 297,000 car fires in the United

States, leading to 550 deaths. If effective flame retardants were not used, this

number would certainly be higher, " the group's statement said.

Auto manufacturers have already agreed to phase out two of the three

flame-retardant chemicals cited in the report, Eron Shosteck, a spokesman for

the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, told the Detroit News. The remaining

chemical has been studied by the European Union for 10 years and has been proven

safe, Shosteck said.

The report was released Jan. 11 during the North American International Auto

Show in Detroit, but it received little attention outside of Michigan.