NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - A Michigan environmental group is charging
that at least part of the so-called "new car smell" is toxic, and that
the interior of an automobile has dangerous levels of various
chemicals.

The report, "Toxic at any speed," comes from The Ecology Center, an Ann
Arbor, Mich.-based group. It reports that PBDEs, used as fire
retardants, and phthalates, used primarily to soften PVC plastics, are
found in dangerous amounts in dust and windshield film samples.

It called for tougher regulations to phase out the use of the chemicals
as well as voluntary moves by the auto manufacturers to stop using the
products inside of new vehicles.

It also suggested that car owners take steps to reduce the release and
breakdown of these chemicals by using solar reflectors, ventilating car
interiors, and parking outside of sunlight whenever possible.

The group says that phthalates are partly responsible for the smell
associated with new cars.

Drivers and passengers are exposed to these chemicals through
inhalation and contact with dust, according to the group's report.

"These groups of chemicals have been linked to birth defects, impaired
learning, liver toxicity, premature births and early puberty in
laboratory animals, among other serious health problems," according to
the report.

"We can no longer rely just on seatbelts and airbags to keep us safe in
cars," said a statement from Jeff Gearhart, the Ecology Center's Clean
Car Campaign Director who co-authored the report. "Our research shows
that autos are chemical reactors, releasing toxins before we even turn
on the ignition. There are safer alternatives to these chemicals, and
innovative companies that develop them first will likely be rewarded by
consumers."

The group found Volvo was found to have the lowest levels of phthalates
and the second-lowest levels of PBDEs, which it said made the Ford
Motor Co. (Research)-owned unit the industry leader in terms of indoor
air quality. Volvo also has the toughest policies for phasing out these
chemicals.

Other auto manufacturers had more mixed records on the two types of
chemicals, according to the group's survey. For example, Korean auto
manufacturer Hyundai had the lowest level of PBDEs, but the highest
level of phthalates.

The group said it was told by Ford officials that the auto manufacturer
has eliminated PBDEs from "interior components that customers may come
into contact with." Ford had among the lowest level of PBDEs in its
vehicles, and General Motors (Research) and BMW vehicles also had
lower-than-average levels for all chemicals tested. But Mercedes,
Chrysler, Toyota and Subaru had higher-than-average levels of both
PBDEs and phthalates.

In response to the study, one industry group defended the use of PBDEs
as an important contributor to vehicle safety.

The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum said in a statement that
PBDEs known as Deca-BDE have been extensively studied in the U.S. and
Europe -- including a 10-year-long risk assessment -- and found to be
safe for continued use.

"If automobile manufacturers follow the guidance in the report, it
could result in lowering fire safety for the public, as well as
promoting the use of unidentified alternative substances about which
very little may be known," said the group's statement. It said it is
crucial that autos have the best possible flame retardants available in
case of accidents.

"In 2004 alone, there were approximately 297,000 car fires in the
United States, leading to 550 deaths. If effective flame retardants
were not used, this number would certainly be higher," the group's
statement said.

Auto manufacturers have already agreed to phase out two of the three
flame-retardant chemicals cited in the report, Eron Shosteck, a
spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, told the
Detroit News. The remaining chemical has been studied by the European
Union for 10 years and has been proven safe, Shosteck said.

The report was released Jan. 11 during the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, but it received little attention outside of
Michigan.

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