The Nissan Versa topped HealthyCar’s list of harmful and toxic car interiors along with the Chevrolet Aveo, Scion xB and Kia Rio last year, but it’s time to take a look at the list again this year as a new study has been released.
The worse this time around is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GT convertible. There are quite a few familiar names up there, and the Suzuki Forenza is the Chevrolet Optra while the Suzuki Reno which is the second worst is the Chevrolet Optra5. However note that these scores may not apply to our local cars at all as the dashboard and interior materials will most likely come from different suppliers.
What makes a car interior toxic is the chemicals that are given off by the materials such as the dash, seats and carpet. These chemicals will be slowly released into the air over time. There are a few chemicals typically found in car interiors that cause concern, and HealthyCar tests for all of them:
- Bromine – used to make plastics fire resistant. Associated with thyroid problems, memory impairment, learning disability, fertility problems, behavioural changes. It could be one reason why your wife started having mood swings ever since you bought her that Proton Savvy instead of the Honda Jazz she wanted.
- Phthalates – found in PVC. Associated with fertility problems, pre-term deliveries, liver problems, testicle problems, thyroid problems, ovary problems, kidney problems and can also pass from mother to baby through placenta and breast milk.
- Lead – additive in plastics. Exposure can lead to brain damage, kidney problems, blood problems, nerve problems, leaning and behavioural problems and damage to reproductive system.
- Other harmful substances, allergens and carcinogens like antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin.
What’s quite interesting is also the fact that the BMW 125i is listed as having one of the most toxic car interiors, but the BMW M5 has one of the most healthy interiors. I guess BMW uses better materials in their more expensive cars.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Is Versa same like Latio?
Versa = Latio.
Fancy the new car smell? It’d kill you…. LOL
Oh no…. my favorite Mazda6 is in the Ten Worst Pick List…
Toyota is always d best to pick.
jolly_idiot said,
August 1, 2008 @ 8:51 am
Toyota is always d best to pick
___
i thought i saw honda at the top and at no.6 spot. not toyota
would be interesting to see where the Prius ends up here…
wonder what score for our little p1 and p2 cay might be ranked ^_^
I guess no one even bothered to do any research on P1. NEXT!!
Roti Naan,
Go and visit their R&D office tomorrow and Sunday and ask their engineers! As far as i know interior materials must meet FMVSS requiremnts for major car manufacturers.
It’s surprising that the BMW 1 series don’t meet this requirement. Even they are cutting costs on their ‘cheaper’ models, presumably. And they are way more expensive than P1 or P2!
Hey, i thought some one commented:
“Proton Vendors Association President Dr Wan Mohamed has spoken in defense of allegations that automotive parts sourced from Malaysia can be up to 50% more than those made in Japan”
So we can aspect that P1 has better (safe) material made in their cars?
Or they are using cheap material from Japan?
The BMW on the worst list is a convertible, i’d imagine that the convertible top is responsible for most of the additional toxins due to the waterproofing and strengthening process.
Ironically, these toxic emissions are all part and parcel of the “new car smell” everyone loves!
they should add proton’s interior there, can get numbger 1 for least healthy interior
car_craze,
I’m not interested with p1 car, beside have to work on weekends to make living. Why, if you happened to be there, do ask this question for me please.
please let us know what you have found out.
I hope the meterials p1 uses will not be inferior and cost more than the one made in Japan
simply unbelievable…. and a bit of ridiculous…
How long does it take for the chemicals effect the person? Stay in car on warm day without AC on?
This is speculation at best..where is the impartiality..
Who knows the soft touch materials or vynil plastics on more expensive cars are more poisonous.
When adding proton savvy in there I know you’re trying to make a point but ur making one without any basis at all.
Where’s Volvo?
Ironically, Merc did the opposite of BMW. E-class in worst 10, while 3 Smart cars in top 10. Smart gets better material than e-class, hm…
n ganu excos hv just bought E-class, even said they’re “satisfied with their safety”, harhar (even though of differect spec ie E200K vs E350).
Paul, paul….sempat criticise Savvy over Jazz. Why not Smart? Since they’re under merc, maintenance shud be cheaper than proton’s savvy, wakakakak
actually this post is about healthy interiors, not comfortable interiors