Anyone who loves the smell of new cars should be forewarned that the chemicals producing that smell can be hazardous to a person’s health. A 2001 study conducted by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in 2001 and a 2006 report released by the Ecology Center which is entitled, “Toxic at Any Speed: Chemicals in Cars and the Need for Safe Alternatives,” both show that the chemical smells given off by new cars are infect toxic and make people sick.

Overall, the smell is made up of the chemicals used for constructing the leather and vinyl which, when overheated, give off fumes. Essentially, some of the chemical compounds used in the leather tanning process and in making vinyl are carcinogens, most notably is the known carcinogen benzene. Many notable companies such as Sony Ericsson and Apple Inc. are attempting to reduce the use of these compounds in plastics production under advice from the Environmental Protection Agency. These plastics are used in producing their products. Also used in making new cars are other volatile organic compounds (made of carbon) including toluene, chloride, formaldehyde, methylene, and of course, benzene. In fact, these compounds, when heated within a new car, tend to pollute the car’s air up to 35 times more if the same compounds are used in building a new home, according to a Japanese study.

The problem with these new car smells is that it makes many people sick. The fumes given off for the first six to eight months after a car has been produced have been linked with nausea, dizziness and other symptoms that make up the sickness known as “sick building syndrome.” Sick building syndrome was noted when people started complaining of the same symptoms after moving into a newly built or remodeled home. The carpets, walls and other materials used in the construction or remodeling of that home give off fumes, thus makiThe truck is certainly the warhorse of the automotive world. Whether it’s a semi or a pickup, these vehicles toil day in and day out to facilitate drivers’ diverse needs, from cross-country long hauls to schlepping construction materials across town. And even though trucks are designed for work, they are still vulnerable to the effects of overwork. One common issue that can plague a truck in constant use is foul odor.

Yes, over time it’s possible to notice some unpleasant or even downright noxious fumes emanating from the cab of the truck in question. But there’s no need to panic; likely this odor is just the natural result of spending so much time in the vehicle.

With that in mind, here are some quick ways to curb common smelly truck cab and trailer problems:

Gas & Motor Oil Spills

The above can lead to foul smell that can quickly cross the line into dangerous territory, as gasoline and motor oil spillage can produce quite the noxious fumes. To this end, air fresheners are not enough; the gasoline odor needs to be neutralized at its source. To get rid of the stink it is first necessary to locate the source. That means searching the cab for the stain resulting from any gas or oil spills.

Once the source is located, the best plan of attack is to thoroughly clean the area using a strong upholstery cleanser like ODOREZE® Multi-Purpose Smell Remover Deodorizer/Cleaner. Another tip is too apply some VAPOREZE® Vapor Absorbing Granules to the spot after washing to draw out and remove the remaining gasoline or oil fumes. After a few hours on the spot, the smell should be history.

Body Odor

As mentioned above, trucks are designed for work. And if the person operating the truck has been using it for more hard labor than recreation, well, some residual body odor (bo) from an honest day’s work may linger in the cab. And, once again, oftentimes this beast is no match for a simple air freshener. That’s why it’s best to break out the big guns and use SMELLEZE® Truck Odor Deodorizer Pouches. These devices are inexpensive (around $12.99), are reusable for years, and don’t require power so can be just left in the cab 24/7. After 12 or so hours of use in a truck cab with the windows rolled up, the job should be done.

Food & Drink Spills

No shame in grabbing a quick bite to eat while driving; the shame comes later when an errant food wrapper, crumbs, or a spilled drink ferments for days on end and creates stench foul enough to make a person’s head spin. The first thing to do in such a situation is to locate any hidden food and remove it ASAP. Next, clean up spills with ODOREZE®. The rest is a breeze. To remove any lingering smells, scatter SMELLEZE® Carpet Smell Deodorizer Powder on carpets and seats, leave for few hours, and vacuum. The powder acts as a natural odor vacuum, sucking up foul odor.

By following the above steps, any truck owner should be able to remove persistent smells from the cab of his or her truck and trailer with relative ease. The best part is that these methods should kill the smells once and for all – until the next burger wrapper gets left under a seat for a few weeks.

Sean Clark is the Social Media Coordinator for NextTruckOnline.com, a marketplace for used commercial trucks, used freightliner trucks and more.

ng a new home toxic to live in for some months.

Even more importantly, the level of Polybrominated diphenyl ethers which are used in making flame retardant materials, are even more toxic than the simple “new car smell.” The problem is that these chemicals also contribute to the smell. These chemicals emit toxins so damaging that breathing in the air saturated with these chemicals after purchasing a new car can impair a child’s learning in addition to polluting the fetus’s blood, possibly exposing it to learning problems. While many Japanese car companies are reducing the use of all of the chemicals that make the “new car smell,” most American companies, such s GE and Ford Motors, are not.

Louise Baker is a freelance writer and blogger who usually does car insurance comparisons over at CarinsuranceComparison.Org. She recently wrote about finding cheap car insurance quotes.