Outgassing wasn't a problem until car manufacturers switched to cheaper materials. If Ralph Nader hadn't written "Unsafe at Any Speed," safety standards would never have improved. Now they are killing us slowly (and some of us quickly) and many of you are willing to tolerate it? Some things are worth fighting for.

The folks who justify what GM is doing should take a look at all the folks who have justified atrocities in our history in the exact same manner. Some of the worst atrocities in history were allowed to happen because of similar empathy.

If this was my mother the OP was helping, I would be talking to lawyers. I would not bow down to the almighty automotive industry's efforts to save a buck at my expense.

I am beginning to wonder if humans are vertebrates!

I would hardly call using materials that give off that new car smell "atrocious" to place this in same category as genocide is ludicrous. It's not only GM who's cars give off vapors/odors. Literally every car sold in this country will do that. And guess what, 99.999% of people can and do deal with it. It is *highly* unlikely that any judge or court would consider this case. Keep in mind that the customer bought the car via their own free will, nobody forced her into it. Anyone who has ever sat in a car that is less than a month old knows that’s what they smell like, it’s not exactly a big secret.

Then why are they banning those materials in Europe? And who said anything about genocide? I was referring to companies that have been found guilty of poisoning our water and air.

Just because our bodies are usually capable of tolerating a certain amount of toxins doesn't mean it is okay for the toxins to be present.

Have you noticed how standards for acceptable levels of toxins have been lowered in recent years? As we march through time, we discover certain levels of toxins we once thought were okay are really causing illness over long periods of time. We used to accept higher levels of lead in our drinking water and particulates in the air. After proving links between these pollutants and illnesses like cancer and asthma, we lowered the acceptable levels. We used to think asbestos was safe. We were wrong. In that same spirit, I believe you are wrong to assume the toxins from outgassing plastics in cars are safe for long term exposure. The OP's friend is just the canary in the coal mine.

I Played With Mercury In My Hands!
(All my classsmates did in fifth and sixth grade.)

Also, I have run with scissors! My school had bare asbestos on water pipes. This may even come as a bigger shock, but not too awfully long ago, car brakes and clutches were full of asbestos. Every time anybody in any car used either one, a certain amount of it went into the atmosphere. I guess I should't have been breathing at the car dealer I worked in. The tehnicians there blew brake dust into huge clouds with an air hose.

All this stuff that didn't kill me, has made me stronger. Now I can even go outside in acid rain! A lot of this stuff has to do with bigger government, regulations, and the taking of your freedom.

I guess this is what happens when you go to a mechanic for health advice!

1. You likened people who ignore the vile/deadly stench that a new car gives off to that of people who looked the other way when "Some of the worst atrocities in history were allowed to happen because of similar empathy." I was simply stating genocide as an example since it's widely considered to be something of any atrocity.

2. As far as outgassing goes, it's been going on for about 100 years. About the same amount of time as asbestos had been widely used. Asbestos had been known to be dangerous for people to come in contact with since the 1940's. So it took 40 years for that to be known, in contrast cars have been mass-produced for 90 years or so. So far there hasn't been any evidence that outgassing will kill you, and it's been going on for many years. If there was a serious issue with it, chances are it would've been known by now seeing how scientists have come up with reasons why virtually anything you come in contact with during your life will definately kill you. Don't buy into the hysteria.

FoDaddy, aren't you the person who told a little old lady to "man up" earlier in this thread? I am shocked.

Outgassing has been going on since 1908, before modern plastics and adhesives were used in cars? Would you please explain to me how a metal or wooden car materials outgass?

The paints and glues used back then were at least if not more caustic than what is used today. You don't think they didn't stain or seal the wood did you?

The paints and glues used back then were at least if not more caustic than what is used today. You don't think they didn't stain or seal the wood did you? 

Based on the quality of those vehicles, I thought they were mostly held together by hardware (bolts and rivets) and welding. They didn't use nearly the amount of adhesives we use today. Can you please tell me, for my edification, which parts of the Model T Ford and the Model A Ford, for example, where held together with adhesives? Are you telling me treated wood outgasses as much as modern plastics?

Plastics and adhesives don't outgass because they are caustic. Caustic substances, by definition, are capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. A material doesn't have to be caustic to outgass. A dictionary can be your friend.

Oh My... Not That Dreaded Toxic Black Lead Paint!

Dry lead paint outgasses? I thought the danger was from eating lead paint chips.

Don't tell me you ate lead paint chips too! I guess the liver really is a muscle!

People knew better!

People knew it wasn't good to eat paint, with or without lead. I guess that's why they call it a "dumbing down" of society when all of a sudden we need Government agencies telling us what to eat and what not to eat. Now, in some places, Government is trying to dictate what kinds of fat one can ingest. Less is better, when speaking of government!

The paint used on the Model T (both inside and out) were solvent based. So it would likely "outgas" for bit even after it was dry. As for the treated wood (and the afore mentioned paint) Have you ever been on a deck that has recently been stained? You can smell it for days. Same thing with a recently painted room. Also the Model T initially sported acetylene headlights, which also gave off fumes.

Thanks for educating me, FoDaddy. It is good to know we are talking about a difference in outgassing between days (Model T) ane years (modern cars). I guess it is a good thing most Model Ts took more than a few days to get from the factory to the showroom. I would be interested in seeing the difference in outgassed chemicals. I bet back in 1930 people were exposed to a whole different range of chemicals.

Now they are killing us slowly (and some of us quickly) and many of you are willing to tolerate it?
Who said anybody was tolerating it, other than you? Everybody on here that has posted never said it was ok, what they did say was that all cars outgas. Also let me say since you are not aware of this, cars outgas for several years, I am not talking 4-5. My educated guess is more than 10. But, (wait, keep reading before you fire back) you can't smell it after some amount of time. I am sure you have seen or cleaned the smeary film build up on the inside of the windshield, well, that is also outgassing. That film does not come from nowhere.
And while you are concerned that GM is killing us you might not realize that all cars outgas. With that said, what car make do you drive? Don't tell us you don't own a car. Oh..... I thought so, you do own a car! Why are you tolerating this? Why are you letting your car make kill you? This is nothing more than a double standard. Whitey can jump everyone's case concerning this but Whitey is also part of the problem.
I am beginning to wonder if humans are vertebrates!
Whitey, settle down, you are no better than anyone else.

With that said, what car make do you drive? Don't tell us you don't own a car. Oh..... I thought so, you do own a car! Why are you tolerating this? Why are you letting your car make kill you? This is nothing more than a double standard. Whitey can jump everyone's case concerning this but Whitey is also part of the problem. 

meaneyedcatz, since you asked, I ride a motorcycle. I sold my car in August. I work at a university and I got tired of paying the high price of a parking permit. I also hated trying to find a parking space for the car. I also like saving gas. On days when I can't ride the motorcycle, I use public transportation. I suppose if I had been thinking about this outgassing issue I would have sold it sooner, but I admit it was not a concern at that time.

Assuming everyone owns a car is darned presumptuous. Think before you open your mouth, will you?

Socialism Major, I'll Bet Ya!

Nope. Computer Science professor.

Cathode Ray Dangers

Have you any idea what being exposed to the radiation from cathode ray tubes can do to an individual? It's not pretty. I hope you are new enough at this to have been exposed only to out-gassing plastic (some get quite warm) LCD monitors. There should be some regulations involving what we choose to sit near.

C.S.A., I teach mostly theoretical concepts, so I don't spend that much time in front of a computer. I am more likely to have my nose stuck in a book. But I am deeply touched by your concern for me. Thank you.

At least some of us can have a civilized debate and agree to disagree. If I listened to meaneyedcatz, I would be afraid to speak my mind at all. meaneyedcatz would make an effective communist dictator.