The “new car smell” that you may notice when you first get into a new vehicle is a complex mixture of different volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals come from various materials used in manufacturing and constructing automobiles. The smell is especially noticeable in recently manufactured cars, and it fades over time as the VOCs slowly evaporate. Understanding the sources of these VOCs can help explain why new cars have a distinctive odor.
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What causes the new car smell?
There are a variety of materials inside cars that release gases and interact to produce the characteristic new car smell. Here are some of the main contributors:
- Adhesives – Glues and adhesives used in assembling cars contain chemicals that produce VOCs as they cure.
- Plastic parts – The plastics used for interior components can release VOCs that add to the smell.
- Upholstery – The fabrics and leathers used for seats contain dyes, resins, and other coatings that emit VOCs.
- Carpeting – New carpet, especially if it has a foam backing, releases VOCs into the air.
- Paints and coatings – The fresh paints and protective coatings on the interior and exterior of cars contain solvents and other chemicals that vaporize.
- Tires and rubber – New tires and rubber parts like belts and hoses off-gas chemicals that contribute to the smell.
The new car smell comes from the interactions between all these initial sources of VOCs in the first days and weeks after car manufacture. Over time, the VOCs dissipate and get replaced by normal odors from the environment and passengers.
What chemicals make up the new car smell?
There have been many studies analyzing the exact chemical composition of new car smell. Here are some of the major chemicals identified:
- Benzene – An aromatic hydrocarbon solvent used in glues, paints, and coatings.
- Formaldehyde – Released from adhesives and plastics.
- Acetone – A solvent used in plastic manufacturing.
- Xylenes – Petroleum-derived solvents found in paints.
- Styrenes – Used in rubber and plastic production.
- Aldehydes – Released by curing epoxies.
- Naphthalene – An aromatic solvent in coatings.
- Volatile esters – Found in leather and fabric coatings.
In total, over 200 different VOCs have been identified as contributors to the new car smell. The concentrations vary between car manufacturers and models depending on the materials used.
Is the new car smell harmful?
The distinctive scent of new cars may be pleasing at first, but could there be any health effects from inhaling these gases over time? While definitive long-term studies are lacking, there are some concerns about the potential toxicity of the VOCs released in new cars.
VOCs can cause irritation
Several of the compounds given off by interior car materials, like styrene and formaldehyde, are known irritants for eyes, nose, throat, and lungs when inhaled at high concentrations. The VOC levels in new cars are not expected to cause major irritation for most people. However, some especially sensitive individuals may experience headaches, nausea, or eye/throat discomfort from the fumes.
Some VOCs are potential carcinogens
A few of the identified new car VOCs, notably benzene and formaldehyde, have been linked to increased cancer risk after long-term exposure to high levels. The dose from new car interiors is likely to be too low to pose a serious cancer danger. But because benzene and formaldehyde are potent carcinogens, even small amounts may incrementally increase overall cancer risk over a lifetime.
Health impact depends on VOC levels
The health effects of inhaling VOCs depend enormously on the amounts present. Standards for maximum levels have been enacted for cars sold in Europe, Japan, and North America. Automakers have reformulated adhesives, coatings, and other interior materials to reduce VOC emissions. New car smell has reportedly decreased in recent decades due to these steps. Standards continue to be tightened, which should further lower any potential health risks.
Reducing exposure to new car smell chemicals
If you find the odor from your new car to be overly strong or irritating, here are some tips to lower your exposure to the VOCs:
Air it out
The easiest step is airing out the car by opening all windows and doors for several hours. This will allow the highest concentrations of VOCs to dissipate. Driving with the windows down also helps ventilate the interior space.
Use ventilation
Setting your car’s ventilation system to bring in outside air can help dilute the new car fumes inside the cabin. Avoid recirculating the same cabin air when trying to reduce VOCs.
Use deodorizers
Activated charcoal air fresheners and cleaners specially designed to remove VOCs from cars can help absorb lingering new car odor. Avoid perfumes or masking fragrances that just add competing scents.
Wait it out
If the smell seems overwhelming at first, give it a few weeks. The concentrations of VOCs drop steadily over the first month as the car interior releases and vents the chemicals. Within 2-3 months, most of the bothersome new car scent should fade.
Conclusion
The characteristic new car smell comes from volatile organic compounds released from adhesives, plastics, paints, coatings, and other new materials inside recently manufactured automobiles. Hundreds of different VOCs have been identified, with benzene, formaldehyde, acetone, and styrene among the most common. These chemicals are highest when the car is brand new and dissipate over time. Although potential irritation and long-term health effects are unlikely at the exposure levels inside cars, sensitive individuals may want to take steps to reduce fumes if they find the odor unpleasant. Allowing time for VOCs to ventilate, using deodorizers, and airing out the car can help minimize contact with the chemicals responsible for the new car smell. As manufacturing techniques and materials evolve, VOC emissions are decreasing, leading to a less intense and potentially less toxic new car odor than in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some new cars have more smell than others?
The intensity of the new car smell can vary based on the specific materials and adhesives used by different automakers. Luxury vehicles tend to have more leather, carpeting, and coatings that release VOCs. Assembly techniques also have an impact, with sloppy glue application leading to more fumes. And consumer expectations play a role, as some buyers enjoy and expect a strong new car odor as a sign of an unused interior.
Is it safe to breathe in new car smell?
Occasional exposure to new car fumes is unlikely to cause problems for most healthy individuals. However, people with respiratory conditions like asthma may wish to avoid prolonged exposure. In general, try to air out the car and reduce time spent in the cabin when the smell is strongest in the first few weeks after purchasing.
How long does new car smell last?
The strongest odors should subside after about 1-2 months. But some residual “new car scent” may linger for 6 months or longer as the last VOCs very slowly evaporate from the seats, carpets, and interior plastics. The smell lasts longer in cars parked indoors versus outdoors. Regularly airing out the car interior will help dissipate the odor more quickly.
Does new car smell contain benzene?
Yes, benzene is one of the major VOCs contributing to new car smell. It off-gasses from paints, coatings, adhesives, and rubber components. Benzene is known to be toxic and carcinogenic, so its presence is a potential concern. However, the dose inside new cars is generally well below safety limits. Manufacturers work to limit benzene content in materials as much as possible.
Is new car smell the same as that “new shoe smell”?
The initial smell given off by new shoes shares similarities with new car scent because both originate from common VOCs in adhesives, paints, and plastics. Chemicals like acetone, xylenes, and aldehydes are often found in both products when new. The mix differs slightly, leading to the distinctive leather/rubber smell of shoe stores versus the more complex bouquet of new cars.
References
- Gallagher, James. “Chemical Cocktail Found in New Cars.” BBC News. August 6, 2012.
- Graham, David. “The Chemcials Behind the New Car Smell.” Chemical & Engineering News. October 1, 2007.
- Kim, Ki-Hyun. “Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted from Automotive Painting and Their Pollution Control.” Environmental Chemistry Letters 18 (2020).
- Yamauchi, Masataka. “Aging-related changes in new car smell.” Journal of Health Science 60, no. 1 (2014).
- You, Jeong Hoon. “Material emissions evaluation and engineering for the reduction of new car interior VOC levels.” Journal of Cleaner Production. January 25, 2021.