New car smell is toxic

Japanese automakers are working to reduce new car smell, thanks to research labelling it as toxic. It's not particularly surprising. New car smell is a mix of all the volatile organic compounds that leach from the plastic, paint and upholstery. If you've ever worked in a newly renovated office where they didn't off-gas the carpets properly and half the office ends up going home sick, you'll have some idea how nasty this stuff is.