New Car Smell

Have you ever experienced drowsiness after riding in a new car with the windows shut tight? It could be the air quality inside the passenger compartment causing your drowsiness.
New cars are a major source of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Most of the VOCs leach from glues, paints, plastic, and vinyl in the passenger compartment. Some people experience sore throats, nausea, headaches, and drowsiness from breathing them. Prolonged exposure can lead to much more serious heath conditions. A study done by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in 2001, found that new car riders are subject to toxic emissions several times higher than the limit deemed safe for humans. Japanese car manufacturers are the first (to my knowledge) to set an industry-wide goal of reducing VOC concentrations (AKA new car smell). Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said, "Cutting down on the things that lead to these smells is only something that can be better for you." In 2005, they agreed to cut passenger compartment levels of 13 chemicals, including formaldehyde and styrene, by the year 2007. They will attempt to match Japanese Health Ministry guidelines for air quality in homes. Some of Japan's top five car manufacturers Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda and Mitsubishi are already producing cars with lower volatile organic compound levels.
Unfortunately, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents nine carmakers including General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, said in 2005, it does not follow the issue of volatile organic compounds.
If you are forced to ride in a new car and breathe the chemical cocktail, I suggest the following. Set the ventilation control to bring outside air into the car and leave the windows partially or fully open. The best solution is to drive an older car that has already off-gassed most of its chemicals.