Love that new car smell? Cancer-causing chemicals are responsible for the aroma, a new study from Harvard University and the Beijing Institute of Technology found.

The scent usually associated with a new ride is a combination of leather and plastic that becomes more intense in heat. Sitting in a car with new car smell for just a half hour every day can result in dangerous levels of exposure.

The study involved monitoring the concentration of chemicals in new cars while they were parked outside. Scientists found that levels of chemicals formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were higher than China’s national safety standard.

Ford has actually already begun the process of trying to remove the smell. (dailymail.co.uk)

Filed under: car, life