Is it necessary to remove formaldehyde from a new car?
3 Answers
It is very necessary. Here are the relevant details: Hazards: The main sources of formaldehyde in a new car come from the roof felt, seat covers, plastic parts of the dashboard, and other decorative materials. Benzene comes from adhesives. Among these, formaldehyde pollution is particularly severe and poses significant harm to human health. Removing formaldehyde: Remove the plastic packaging inside the car as soon as possible to allow harmful gases to dissipate quickly. Develop a habit of slightly opening the windows while driving to facilitate air circulation and carry away formaldehyde. Use activated charcoal or diatomite to adsorb formaldehyde. Note that activated charcoal tends to saturate easily and needs to be replaced after a period of use; otherwise, overloaded charcoal may release the adsorbed formaldehyde back. Comparatively, diatomite not only adsorbs but also decomposes the absorbed harmful substances. It does not require sun exposure and does not saturate, making it a better choice.
I think it's essential to remove formaldehyde from new cars. Last month, I picked up an SUV, and when I first got in, I could clearly smell a pungent odor, and my eyes even felt sore. Actually, this smell is a mix of formaldehyde and benzene compounds, which volatilize more easily in hot weather. Especially for families with children, kids' respiratory systems are much more delicate than adults', and excessive formaldehyde levels can trigger coughing and allergies. I specifically bought a detector to test, and after sun exposure, the formaldehyde level in the car soared to 0.2 mg, more than double the safe standard of 0.08. I recommend airing out the car in the sun for three days after purchase, opening the windows for ventilation for an hour each day, and placing some activated charcoal bags inside. If budget allows, getting a photocatalytic treatment is even more thorough—after all, health isn't something to gamble with.
As someone who has gone through the car-buying process three times, I strongly advise you to take this matter seriously. New car plastics, adhesives, and leather tanning agents all slowly release formaldehyde, with the emission period lasting up to three years. The most dangerous situation is when the odorless formaldehyde exceeds safe levels - my neighbor experienced dizziness even after six months of driving. For DIY solutions, place high-iodine-value activated charcoal under the seats (citrus peels have limited effect). Once I tested using a household air purifier in my car - it reduced concentration by 30% in three hours. The best method is to open all four doors for five minutes of ventilation before driving in summer, and always leave a window slightly cracked when parked.
