Study Finds “New Car Smell” is Toxic

[TheHogRing]

You know that "new car smell" people often rave about? Turns out it's toxic. In fact, most automakers know this and have been silently making changes to their interiors to rid them of the dangerous plastics and chemicals that emit the scent.

Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/73b5v3x

[kodydog]

November 2010, I went to a job interview at a company that does maintenance on corporate jets. The fellow took me to the upholstery room and the smell from contact cement was so over powering I became light headed. An exhaust fan would have been nice. I declined the job offer.

[Merge]

Kody,
   I can relate to that story, I am going on seven years in the corporate jet industry and we too used to use contact cement so much that it would really become overwhelming at times.  A couple years ago thought we switched to a product called Simalfa which is a water based adhesive.  It takes a bit to get used to it, but is sure nicer to use compared to the traditional contact cements.  It is unusual that place didnt have an exhaust system of any type though.

[gatsby989]

Doesn't surprise me that it is actually toxic. I always hated it, and didn't know why anyone would like it, except for the "prestige" of a new car or whatever.

Several years ago  my parents bought a new Chevy Tahoe. A very nice rig, but I couldn't stand to ride in it for more than short trips because the smell was so overpowering it made me nauseous.

[Rich]

My wife's been saying for years that the vinyl I use on a constant basis is probably bad for me (and I always thought it was the glue!). But my work is done almost exclusively in vinyl and it's either in storage in my shop, or lying out on my benches being cut and sewn. I don't see any way around it unless I get out of the business entirely.
Rich

[kodydog]

Last year we did 7 orthodontist chairs in vinyl. She was concerned about off-gassing and we found a product that is PVC free. You could stick your nose right up to it and smell nothing. It was also rated commercial. She was very pleased. Only kicker, $120 to $150 a yard retail.

http://www.ultrafabricsllc.com/site/subCollection/11

[Rich]

Yes, there are pvc free coated fabrics out there, but I'd still have to work mostly with what is currently in use since in most cases, the customer is matching to what is on the other chairs, or a new chair that is in vinyl. Time will tell if the trend is away from PVC.
Rich