Common Exhaust Toxics

Getting into a new car and experiencing the new-car smell is an enjoyment and pleasure to many. But few actually know that this new-car smell is absolutely detrimental to our health. The distinctive new-car smell is a cocktail of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Even when you are not in a new car, driving on the roads everyday, we are still exposed to numerous types of air pollutants which are absolutely detrimental to our health. There are large particulate matters that can be filtered off by the air filter in the car. However, there are also the harmful volatile organic compounds that are gaseous which cannot be filtered off.

Some of the more "well-known" VOCs include benzene, 1,3-butadiene, toluene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. These VOCs have the potential to do serious harm to the drivers and passengers as well. VOCs also act as ingredients in chemical reactions that form ground-level ozone (smog).

The following paragraphs highlights the most hazardous VOCs and the potential harm they can do to our health.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Carcinogens are defined as substances that increase the risk of abnormal growth of tissues in humans or animals. In other words, carcinogens are cancer causing agents. Benzene is a known carcinogen. The World Health Organization (WHO) set the acceptable human exposure level for benzene at ZERO. This clearly shows that benzene is totally harmful to humans.
Low-level exposure - Can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs. For children, the leukemia risk is likely much higher than that of adults even at lower levels.

Short term exposure (at higher levels)  - May significantly depress the central nervous system and result in drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors, confusion and unconsciousness.

High-level exposure - Women exposed to elevated benzene concentrations for long periods of time have exhibited menstrual disorders and atrophied ovaries. There are also limited studies suggesting that benzene exposure can reduce fertility in women. Pregnant animals exposed to elevated benzene levels produced offsprings with low birth weights and damaged bone marrow.

Long-term exposure - Both animal and human studies have associated the long-term expose to benzene via inhalation with blood disorders, including aplastic anemia, excessive bleeding, and the loss of antibodies and white blood cells. Losing antibodies and white blood cells also means the individuals are more susceptible to infections including influenza and the common cold.

1,3-butadiene is classified as a "probable human carcinogen".  Limited studies have shown that exposure to 1,3-butadiene may be responsible for respiratory, bladder, stomach, lymphatic and blood-related cancers.

Low-level exposure - Can irritate eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Short-term exposure (at higher levels) - Can damage the central nervous system, cause blurred vision, nausea, fatigue, headache, decreased blood pressure and pulse rate and unconsciousness.

High-level exposure - Animal studies reveal that mothers with elevated levels of exposure are more likely to produce offspring with low body wights and skeletal deformities. 

Long-term exposure - May hinder functioning of the respiratory, cardiovascular and liver systems as well as cause certain types of heart disease.  Long-term exposure at low-levels of 1,3-butadiene vapor in the air had resulted in cancers in laboratory rodents.

Acetaldehyde is yet another "probable human carcinogen". According to the Hazardous Substance Database, acetaldehyde is less irritating but is a stronger central nervous depressant than formaldehyde.

Low-level exposure - Can irritate eyes, nose and throat.

Short-term exposure (at higher levels) - May result in coughing, conjunctivitis, central nervous system depression and delayed pulmonary edema.

High-level exposure - May affect the central nervous system resulting in dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion and unconsciousness.

Long-term exposure - In animals, it is known to produce kidney, reproductive and teratogenic effects.

Styrene is classified as a "probable human carcinogen".

Low-level exposure - Can irritate mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.

Short-term exposure (at higher levels) - May cause depression, muscle weakness, concentration problems, tiredness and nausea.

High-level exposure - May adversely affect the central nervous system. Women exposed to high-levels of styrene may have lower birth weight babies and an increased risk of spontaneous abortions.

Long-term exposure - Effects not currently known.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)is the best known of the nitrogen oxides (NO_x). It is this NO_x that contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and acid rain.

Low-level exposure - Can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, and can exacerbate respiratory diseases, including asthma and influenza.

Short-term exposure (at higher level) - Can cause hyperactivity of airway muscles.

High-level exposure - No information.

Long-term exposure - Can reduce the capacity of the lungs to resist infectious viruses and bacteria, which could lead to increased incidence of colds, influenza and pneumonia..

Carbon Monoxide (CO) may be a very simple molecule, but it is highly toxic and potentially deadly to humans. In America, 1500 people die from unintentional automobile-related CO poisoning every year. A study found that in 1993, nearly one-third of the accidental CO poisonings resulted in fatalities, and were caused by automobile exhaust involving drivers and passengers in moving vehicles.
Low-level exposure - May produce flu-like symptoms like headaches, dizziness and weakness.

Short-term exposure (at higher level) - May produce flu-like symptoms like headaches, dizziness and weakness in healthy people.

High-level exposure - May cause death.

Long-term exposure - May cause death.