If you drive a vehicle you may be unaware there are a certain number of hazardous chemicals in your car.
This is especially the case with new cars though the amount varies between makes and models. The interior of most cars are made of plastic and this is put together with certain types of sealers and adhesives. In a new car these products can be slightly unstable and they release a number of volatile organic compounds inside the automobile, they may also release fumes from chemicals used to soften the plastics.
These processes are known as out gassing and research has shown that the new car may continue to release these types of fumes etc., on a reducing basis over a period of time with some makes and models taking longer than others. It has been suggested that the driver of a new automobile should make sure there is plenty of fresh air entering the vehicle. The side effects of hazardous chemicals in your car may cause headaches, disorientation and irritation which may increase during hotter weather.
Other kinds of hazardous chemicals in your car that may also be a cause for concern are exhaust fumes from the engine. The main gas that is of concern to health is carbon monoxide which doesn’t have an odor, can’t be tasted and is colorless. When severe poisoning occurs this gas reduces the bloods ability to carry oxygen by preventing the oxygen attaching to haemoglobin, which in turn leads to hypoxia. A chronic type of low level exposure may cause depression, memory loss and confusion while poisoning that is acute but moderate may cause a light headed feeling, vertigo or dizziness, confusion and symptoms that are flu like.
Greater exposure can be toxic to the heart, central nervous system and can cause death. It can have severe effects on an unborn child. Carbon monoxide is produced in vehicles due to incomplete fuel combustion, modern vehicles with catalytic converters and a combustion that is electronically controlled, produce very little of this gas.
Problems with hazardous chemicals in your car generally relate to the newer vehicles and the smell that new cars have. Other problems can be from the use of either gasoline or diesel fuel and the type of motor these are used in, while there are also a number of fuel additives which may be of concern to the environment.
