- SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian
scientists have warned that the reassuring smell of a new car actually
contains high levels of toxic air emissions which can make drivers
ill.
-
- A study by Australia's main scientific body, the
Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), found high levels
of toxic emissions in cars for up to six months and longer after they leave
the showroom.
-
- "Just as air inside our homes and workplaces is
often much more polluted than the air outside, so sitting in a new car
can expose you to levels of toxic emissions many times beyond (health
guideline)
goals," said Steve Brown, head of the CSIRO's air quality control
research unit.
-
- The toxic emissions include Benzene, a cancer-causing
toxin; Acetone, a mucosal irritant; Ethylbenzene, a systemic toxic agent;
and Xylene isomers, a foetal development toxic agent.
-
- "To avoid some exposure to this toxic cocktail
people
who buy new cars should make sure there is plenty of outside air entering
the vehicle while they drive for at least six months," Brown said
in a statement.
-
- The two-year study of three new cars found anecdotal
evidence that drivers were becoming ill when they drove their new
cars.
-
- A lawyer reported being ill with headaches, lung
irritation
and swellings for several days after collecting a new car and driving it
for only 10 minutes. When he swapped his new car for an 18-month-old car
he no longer felt ill.
-
- A public servant felt ill when driving a new government
car for the first six months, a chemically sensitized person felt
"spaced
out" when driving any new car and a salesman who regularly updated
his car became lethargic on long trips..
-
- The study found two new Australian-made cars had very
high levels of volatile organic compounds, up to 64,000 micrograms per
cubic meter, three to 10 weeks after manufacture.
-
- A control group of people exposed to half this amount
reported within minutes feeling discomfort, drowsiness, fatigue and
confusion,
eye and ear and nose irritation and headaches.
-
- The toxic air emission levels decrease 60 percent in
the first month but were still well above the Australian recommended health
level of 500 micrograms per cubic meter, said the CSIRO.
-
- A third car in the study was imported to Australia, but
four months after manufacture it contained high levels of toxic air
emissions,
recording 2,000 micrograms per cubic meter.
-
- "This is still four times more than the recommended
goal and remains a concern," said Brown.
|
