Nissan Versa Tops Toxic New Car Smell List

The Ecology Center and HealthyCar.org have released a list of the most- and least-toxic new cars. Yep, that new-car smell really isn’t good for you, and in some cars it can be quite a concern. Potentially harmful substances present in some of the vehicles included chlorine, bromine, arsenic and mercury. The toxins are released when the car gets warmer. They burn off eventually, thus losing that new car smell.

To veteran automotive journalists, the inclusion of so many Korean makes isn’t a surprise; we’ve left many of those cars a bit lightheaded after a test drive. Oh, and the Chevy Aveo is also built in Korea. 

It’s ironic that the Nissan Versa is the most toxic, but is considered the safest small car by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Of course, IIHS just deals with collisions, not new car smell. Keep reading for the top 10 most- and least-toxic vehicles.

Comments

I wonder how many people will be fussin about this article. Anyway, I didn't know that the new car smell is toxic, then again we haven't had a brand new car since 1995.

If new car smell is now considered toxic, will we analyze those little cardboard trees?

Seriously!

Never open one BEFORE going on a 3 hour road trip!

Come on people! This is considered so very bad when our society does nothing about parents smoking up a storm in their vehicles with their small children in it! Why have these same people not raised a ruckus about smoking in vehicles with non-smoker passengers. If they can ban smoking in airplanes, they should ban them for those that have small kids that cannot complain or stop the inhalation of second hand smoke.

James,
Many states are trying to ban smoking in cars with children actually. I don't think any have passed yet though.

The out-gassing from all the plastics in new cars leaves a hazy film on the windows that's hard to clean off. Can't be good for you, but I still love the smell of a new car. I have a Suzuki Forenza (Korean-built, must be the kimchi) and it's not as bad as some others I've owned. The worst new car smell ever was my '90 Yugo. (Yes, I actually bought one!) Smelled like a Soviet-era toxic waste dump.

to Dave T.

I think Cal brought that in. I'm not sure...but that law is damn crazy. I mean...it's nice and all, but wth? Why try to legislate life?

That's a prob I have with California-esque liberals.

Whoa - I never thought about that before. This is a really good heads-up for the unwary fans of that fresh manufacture aroma.

(I've never had the good fortune to own a brand-new car, so I only get to experience New Car Smell vicariously - but maybe some day.)

I'd rather be in an old car than any new car.

I experience headaches and 'brain fog' in a car that is approximately less than six months old. I also feel as if I am going to get sick if the windows are not down. With windows down I can stick my head out and breath. I notice that children often feel sick in new cars and buses but some how our voices are just not taken seriously.

I will always buy a used car and if I rent a vehicle I want an older vehicle - renting a 'wreck' works best for my health.

IAQ (indoor air quality) should be tested in cars, buses, arenas, enclosed offices with recirculated air.

Green = the air we breathe, indoors and out!

Toxic exposures to chemicals are directly related to the onset of environmental sensitivities.

Mel
Toronto

I just finished reading the actual report at ecocenter.org. Apparently, whoever wrote the article above did not read it. The report clearly states that the SOLID material indoor parts of the car were tested for elemental identification. Then the report said these particular elements are usually linked to other COMPOUNDS which are known/suspected of being toxic/carcinogenic. Most of the report is concerned with how to keep these materials out of the landfills, NOT with indoor air measurements. They mentioned that offgassing is likely a problem, BUT they did NOT measure it. I am quite sure there is plenty of toxic offgassing, why did they not measure it? Why did this article mention it, if they did not do it?

I guess Nissan never admit what they did,
even other detect that harmful agent, the point
is if it is disign by that way what else they can't do to harm you in future, it is visious intention discovered.

@Ken - Because writers have no standards nowadays. They don't even have to fact-check or accurately quote their sources anymore.