How Long Does Formaldehyde Take to Volatilize in a Car?
2 Answers
The volatilization time of formaldehyde in a car is generally 3-15 years. Here are several methods to remove formaldehyde from a new car: 1. Remove plastic wraps promptly: Remove plastic wraps as early as possible to allow harmful gases to release quickly. 2. Open windows for ventilation: Before starting the car, open the windows to ventilate, or leave a small gap in the windows when parking to maintain ventilation inside the car, which can effectively reduce the concentration of harmful gases and odors. 3. Place activated charcoal: Activated charcoal can not only adsorb harmful gases like formaldehyde and benzene but also remove odors, deodorize, prevent mold, and sterilize. 4. Photocatalytic removal method: Photocatalysts are high-quality products for removing formaldehyde. They are a general term for light-semiconductor materials with photocatalytic functions, represented by nano-scale titanium dioxide. Under ultraviolet light, they can decompose harmful substances like formaldehyde in the air into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water.
I just became a father, and my biggest concern when buying a car is that the formaldehyde smell inside might be harmful to my child. The formaldehyde in new cars comes from the adhesives in seats, carpets, etc., and the volatilization time is unpredictable—it usually takes several months or even half a year to drop to a relatively safe level. I remember the SUV I bought last summer had a particularly strong smell for the first two months. I forced myself to open the windows for ten minutes before driving every day and used activated charcoal bags to absorb the odor. The higher the temperature, the faster the formaldehyde volatilizes. In summer, the improvement might be noticeable in three months, while in winter, it takes longer. The key is to maintain air circulation consistently and avoid driving with windows closed for extended periods, as accumulated formaldehyde can irritate the nose and throat. After about a year, the situation usually stabilizes. To be safe, you can buy a formaldehyde tester to check the concentration.
