New-car smell less toxic but not safe, Ecology Center says

The Ecology Center released its fourth consumer guide to toxic chemicals last week, and the news is better. The amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new cars has decreased, but we still have a ways to go.

VOCs in plastics and flame retardants have been linked to a variety of acute and long-term health concerns.

The center says the cars with the highest amount of VOCs include the Mini Cooper Clubman S, the Volkswagen Eos and the Kia Sportage SUV. The cars with the least VOC emissions are the Honda Civic, the Toyota Prius and the Honda CR-Z.

Drivers spend an average of 1.5 hours in their car a day, exposed to the VOCs. Chemicals of concern include bromide, which is associated with flame retardants, chlorine in PVC and plasticizers, lead and other heavy metals. These can lead to health problems such as allergies, birth defects, impaired learning and cancer, the Ecology Center says. In-car air temperatures of 192 degrees Fahrenheit and dashboard temps of 248 degrees Fahrenheit can increase the concentration of VOCs.

But, automakers are improving. Many cars today have completely eliminated PVC, and 60 percent of cars are now bromine-free.

The biggest improvers in this year's study are VW, Mitsubishi and Ford. The center says two automakers got worse over the same period, Daimler and Volvo.

The Ecology Center's 10 Best

-- 2012 Honda Civic

-- 2011 Toyota Prius

-- 2011 Honda CR-Z

-- 2011 Nissan Cube

-- 2012 Acura RDX

-- 2012 Acura ZDX

-- 2012 Audi S5

-- 2011 Smart Coupe

-- 2011 Toyota Venza

-- 2011 Smart Passion

The 10 worst

-- 2012 Mini Cooper S Clubman

-- 2012 Volkswagen Eos

-- 2011 Kia Sportage

-- 2011 Chevrolet Aveo 5

-- 2012 Hyundai Accent

-- 2011 Mazda CX-7

-- 2011 Nissan Versa

-- 2011 Kia Soul

-- 2011 Chrysler 200 SC

-- 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

By Jake Lingeman