Is the Smell in a New Car Formaldehyde?
4 Answers
New car smell is formaldehyde. Here are the relevant details:1. Material adhesives: Formaldehyde is colorless and odorless, but new cars contain formaldehyde. The peculiar smell in cars generally comes from air pollution inside the vehicle, which mainly originates from various decorative materials throughout the car, such as roof felt, leather seats, plastic materials, etc. These materials commonly use adhesives containing formaldehyde, benzene for coloring, and plastic components may contain formaldehyde. 2. Odor removal: In addition to simply spraying formaldehyde treatment, activated charcoal can also be used by placing several packets and replacing them regularly. If conditions permit, a specialized formaldehyde air purifier can be installed in the car to absorb formaldehyde. The best method is to ventilate the car to remove formaldehyde, reducing the concentration of pollutants inside and allowing harmful gases to dissipate quickly.
When I first bought my new car, I also noticed that strange smell—part of it comes from formaldehyde, but not all of it. During car manufacturing, interior materials such as plastics, adhesives, and leather treatment agents release formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs for short). These odors mix together to form what is commonly called the 'new car smell.' I've researched it—formaldehyde is indeed harmful and may cause short-term eye and nose irritation, but more common sources of the odor include chemicals like toluene or acetaldehyde. After leaving the new car exposed to sunlight for a few days, the smell significantly weakens, which helps volatilize harmful substances. As a car owner, I recommend opening the windows for at least 15 minutes before each drive and avoiding prolonged stays in a closed cabin during the initial period. If you're concerned about excessive formaldehyde levels, you can use a home handheld tester to check. Regular cleaning of interior surfaces can also speed up odor removal. Overall, this smell is temporary, and with good habits, there’s no need for excessive worry.
When it comes to new car smell, many people mistakenly believe it's all formaldehyde, which isn't entirely accurate. From a health perspective: Formaldehyde is one of the common VOCs with potential health risks, such as respiratory issues from prolonged exposure, especially for children or sensitive individuals. However, this odor is primarily a mixture released by adhesives, paints, and other materials, including benzene compounds and other components. I remember when I bought a new car last year, the smell gave me headaches. After researching, I learned that new cars emit odors faster in high-temperature environments like summer, and parking in sunlight with windows open for a few hours can help reduce it. Regularly using the air circulation system or placing activated charcoal bags on the dashboard corners can absorb harmful substances. Manufacturers now use more eco-friendly materials to reduce emissions, so choosing models with less plastic in the interior is beneficial. Maintaining cleanliness inside the car is also crucial—never overlook it.
I've experienced the new car pickup process several times, and that smell does somewhat resemble glue, but it's not necessarily all formaldehyde. The interior materials of new cars, such as seat fabrics and dashboard panels, are treated with chemical agents during production, and the accumulation of VOCs emits odors. Now, I directly drive to an open area in the suburbs, open all doors and windows wide for half a day to air it out; the smell significantly reduces in about a week. Other tips include turning on the air conditioning's external circulation mode for long drives and placing some lemon or orange peels under the seats to naturally freshen the air. Don't spend a lot of money on odor removal at the 4S dealership; simple ventilation is sufficiently effective.
