| The reasons for buying a used car keep piling on | | | | risk.” Wow. Where do I start? First, it’s |
| top of each other as if they’re trying to | | | | widely acknowledges by the car industry that |
| protect us from whatever is at the bottom of | | | | chemicals gasses such as arsenic, toluene, and |
| pile. Well, something came out of the pile and it | | | | formaldehyde are in new cars. Second, science |
| could make you sick… literally. The highly | | | | has shown that these chemicals are harmful to |
| coveted new car smell turns out to be an | | | | our health. Third, places like the Ecology Center |
| unpleasant concoction of chemicals such as | | | | have found new cars to be the, “most |
| arsenic, toluene, and formaldehyde that comes | | | | universally contaminated environment that we |
| from the outgassing of materials used to make | | | | spend (our time) in.” Does Chrysler want |
| cars - things you would never use at home to | | | | somebody sit in a car until they get sick to prove |
| freshen up the smell of your bathroom. | | | | that it’s harmful? Better yet, why |
| | | | | doesn’t Chrysler spend $100K on an |
| Europe seems to be more progressive in this | | | | independent study and put this to rest ? Lip |
| area, but Europe is working on an entirely | | | | service, lip service, lip service. |
| different aspect - allergies to common materials. | | | | |
| Removing materials such as latex, chrome, and | | | | Used cars end up being a great way to reduce |
| nickel is great for the allergy sensitive people, but | | | | your exposure to the harmful chemicals in new |
| why isn’t arsenic in this list? Probably because | | | | cars. Outgassing, a process where materials |
| we don’t talk about “arsenic allergies.” | | | | release toxic gas, is highest when the materials |
| After all, it’s a poison so I guess were all | | | | are new and go down significantly over time. |
| technically allergic to it. Right? | | | | Buying a two year told car could be a very smart |
| | | | | decision if you’re as concerned about these |
| What about Toyota? They are a progressive car | | | | gasses as me. Just waiting to buy an older car |
| manufacturer and have their environmentally | | | | could be better for your health, especially with |
| friendly image to preserve. Bill Kwong, | | | | these used car prices that we have now. |
| Toyota’s Product Communications Manager, | | | | |
| says they “strive” to meet Japans | | | | Don’t be too pessimistic here. Car |
| voluntary vehicle volatile organic chemical (VOC) | | | | manufacturers are really trying to remove these |
| standards set by the Japan Automobile | | | | harmful gasses from new cars. However, with car |
| Manufacturers Association by 2011. It feels like lip | | | | manufacturers across the globe having a hard |
| service to me, but I will dedicate a blog to praising | | | | time surviving, I’m betting that returning to |
| Toyota if they prove me wrong. | | | | profitability and developing new fuel efficient cars |
| | | | | is a much, much, higher priority than removing |
| Max Gates, Chrysler’s Safety and Regulatory | | | | chemicals from cars - especially since that most |
| Communications Spokesperson, says the | | | | people don’t realize the smell is harmful. Until I |
| organizations that independently test cars are | | | | start seeing “Chemical Free” labels on new |
| using, “scare tactics,” and making claims | | | | cars, I’ll stick to buying used cars and get |
| with, “no data to support any claims of | | | | my great deal through Carsala. |