• Blow Off that New Car Smell
  • The best way to avoid the chemicals associated with new plastics, upholstery, carpeting and other synthetic materials is to buy a used car instead. By the time you take ownership of a previously owned vehicle, most of the volatile chemicals will have escaped.

• Tips for New Car Owners
  • If used is not an option, then do what you can to keep the fumes from concentrating in your car. Ventilate by leaving windows open as much as possible for at least two months. Avoid using the recirculating air and air conditioning options during this time.
  • Beyond this two month window, high temperatures can cause fumes to rise. So, on hot days, open windows rather than relying on air conditioning until the car has aired out. When buying a new car, consider low emission models. For more information, see American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Greener Cars web site and Environmental Defense’s Green Cars: A Guide to Cleaner Vehicle Production, Use and Disposal.

• Install carbon monoxide Detectors in Your Home, Garage and even your Car
  • Because carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and invisible, the only way to ensure that it doesn’t build up to dangerous levels is to rely on CO detectors. Install one in your garage and one on each floor of your home. You can also install CO detectors in your car. Consumers Union conducts testing of CO detectors frequently. Look up their most recent ratings in Consumer Reports.

• Make sure engine exhaust doesn't get inside the car while it's running.
  • Have your mechanic check for air leaks into car cabs yearly. In the winter, check tailpipes for snow-blockage before starting cars.

• Keep windows open slightly in heavy, slow-moving traffic.
  • This will keep fresh air flowing in from above and reduce carbon monoxide buildup inside the car.

• Reduce the seepage of carbon monoxide from the garage into your home.
  • Always open the garage door before starting your car. Keep connecting doors between the home and garage tightly shut. Weatherstrip the door.
  • As an extra precaution, you can install a continuous exhaust fan in the garage. The International Mechanical Code suggests one that runs 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per vehicle. These fans cost about $20 a year to run and can bought and installed for under $250.
• Campaign for Greener School Buses
  • The Natural Resources Defense Council recommends diesel bus replacement with those that run on compressed natural gas or propane. "School districts can reduce a child’s exposure to smog-forming chemicals by as much as 43 percent and toxic particles by another 78 percent just by making a switch to alternative fuel school buses," says Coalition for Clean Air policy director Todd Campbell.
  • Your school district may be able to obtain state funds to pay for the switch. Appendix F of NRDC’s No Breathing in the Aisles: Diesel Exhaust Inside School Buses lists funding sources, specifically earmarked to defray the expense of this initial purchase, which ultimately pays itself back through increased fuel economy and decreased health care costs. To minimize risks until diesel buses are replaced, NRDC recommends that students sit in the front of the bus, with windows open whenever weather allows.

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