�New car smell� is toxic?

You better watch it before you start inhaling deeply your new car�s smell.

You may be feeling smug about driving your magnificent new BMW or Honda Civic from your dealership�s parking lot � imagining the looks on your friends� faces, and already relieved that you wouldn�t have to be constantly visiting Auto Parts Discount to replace your old car�s cowl, wheels, engine parts or headlamps � but think twice about savoring that new car smell.

According to CNN/Autos, 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 including PBDEs, used as fire retardants, and phthalates, used primarily to soften PVC plastics. These dangerous chemicals, the report says, are found in dangerous amounts in dust and windshield film samples. The group � The Ecology Center � is calling 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.

"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 group�s 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 as the automaker 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. Ford also 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.

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