Does a New Car Contain Formaldehyde?
3 Answers
New cars contain formaldehyde. Additional Information: 1. Formaldehyde is a widely used material, including various paints, plastics, and other products. 2. Many interior materials in cars utilize these substances. While these materials meet emission standards during factory testing, when concentrated within the confined space of a car, the formaldehyde released from various materials causes the concentration to rise continuously. Hence, new cars contain formaldehyde. 3. For formaldehyde inside the car, it is generally recommended to use activated carbon for purification. Some air conditioning filters now come with activated carbon material, which has a good adsorption effect on formaldehyde. However, it's important to note that although activated carbon has strong adsorption capabilities, it cannot directly eliminate formaldehyde. If the temperature is too high or the activated carbon becomes saturated, it may release formaldehyde again. Therefore, every 1 to 3 months, the activated carbon should be taken out, exposed to sunlight, and then reused.
When I bought my new car last year, that pungent smell was quite noticeable. I heard it's caused by formaldehyde. The interior materials like seat leather, floor adhesives, and plastic parts used lots of glue and chemical materials during production, with formaldehyde being one of the most common released gases. During the first few days after picking up the car, I felt slightly stuffy and had dry eyes while driving. Later I learned from research that it belongs to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For safety, I frequently opened windows for ventilation, especially in summer when volatilization happens faster. The smell significantly faded after about two weeks, and now it's barely noticeable. I recommend driving more on highways for better air circulation after getting a new car, since long-term exposure to formaldehyde may affect health.
As a parent with children, I am particularly concerned about formaldehyde in new cars. Those plastic parts and adhesives contain formaldehyde, which can easily cause dizziness or allergies after release. My son once coughed when sitting in the new car, and the doctor reminded us that the VOC concentration is high during the initial stage of a new car, so we need to be extra careful. Data shows that poorly ventilated enclosed environments are especially dangerous. I have developed a habit: for the first few months after purchasing the car, I try to use the external air circulation mode as much as possible and avoid letting my child stay in the car for too long. I also added bamboo charcoal bags to help absorb the odors and avoid parking in direct sunlight when temperatures are high. These practices have been quite effective, and the air inside the car has gradually become much fresher.
