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Car interiors release many chemical substances in gaseous form into the cabin. According to experts, there are two times when chemical levels are highest in vehicles: when the car is completely new and during the summer.
As we discussed previously, the new car smell is harmful. Newly manufactured materials retain residues from their production process, and these compounds begin to be released when the car parts start being used.
Heat makes your car harmful to your health
You might think that the problems caused by the new car smell go away over time. And you would be somewhat right, as the passing of months and use cause these substances to be released at a slower rate.
And this is precisely where we have the problem. We are talking about them slowing down their pace, but they do not disappear. This process is known as “degassing”.
Summer accelerates the degassing of plastics
In summer, with the increase in temperatures, some of these toxic vapors begin to stir and be released again. This is because exposure to heat accelerates degassing, as well as exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun’s rays.
The number of chemicals in an average car is so large and causes such a variety of problems that it is useless to list them all. Some experts point out that there are around 275 potential pollutants, with the 50 most common being the most prevalent. However, they can be broadly categorized. Vinyl, a cheap plastic-like upholstery material, is one of the worst. Other culprits are formaldehyde, a preservative; flame retardants, which protect car occupants from the heat of the engine compartment and exhaust; heavy metals; and various plastics, which make up components like the dashboard, door handles, and armrests.
The mildest symptoms of inhaling these chemicals are nausea and headaches, which many people might not even associate with their new car. However, over time, prolonged exposure can cause problems with the central nervous system, hormones, memory loss, and cancer, among other alarming factors.
The importance of good ventilation
As we said in the previous article, the best way to eliminate harmful gases from a new car is to ventilate well and expose it to sunlight to accelerate the initial degassing.
Once the car is no longer new, it is advisable to keep the windows rolled down as much as possible to allow the buildup of chemicals to escape and fresh air to circulate inside. It is not enough just to turn on the air conditioning; we must also open doors and windows so that stagnant air goes out and clean air comes in.
One final recommendation for the hottest months of the year is to use a sunshade. Placed on the vehicle’s front windshield, it will prevent the entry of UV/UVA rays, which are ultimately the triggers of this effect. In addition, it is also advisable to place a second sunshade on the rear window. There are quite complete kits available that serve to cover all the windows of the vehicle for very little money. It will be especially useful if we are going to park the car for a long time on a very hot summer day.