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A quote in the “building science” community is “the solution to pollution is dilution”, so I think you’re doing the right things by trying to flush the air in the car as much as possible. If your car is in a private (home) garage, I’d open up the windows fully at night, and maybe putting a box fan in one of them, to get even more air passing through. If not in a secure environment, though, the carbon filters is probably as good as you can do there.
You have my sympathies! VOCs are overlooked by most, but can really cause problems!
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My understanding is that heat helps with this off gassing issue. Maybe leave the car windows closed in the sun during the day, and then at night open everything up…and cool the car interior off.
@BunsenBurner your thoughts?
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Seems that “new car smell”, or at least specific kinds of it, is considered desirable to some buyers. But buyers in China seem to be more likely than buyers in the US to want no “new car smell”.
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a36970626/science-new-car-smell/
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I’m the proud owner of a brand new car. It had 9 miles on it when I picked it up. No off gassing at all. Not one bit.
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I love the smell of our new car and everyone who’s gotten a ride in it comments on that “wonderful new car smell.” I understand some are made sick by whatever it is that produces the aroma, but we’re in the camp that will be sorry to see it fade, so no suggestions for hastening the process.
I hope the OP’s many efforts are successful soon.
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Hoping @BunsenBurner responds
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I hate the “new car”, new furniture, new anything that’s been packed in plastic smell. With a passion. I’ve had to leave things outside for days while they off gas. Yuck.
I wouldn’t be happy if a new car smell was as bad as described. I might resort to having it detailed on the inside. Or take to the dealer and ask them to get rid of the smell.
I feel for you.
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I wish I had more solutions to suggest, but just here to empathize in solidarity–new car smell, and any other chemical smells, are totally migraine triggers, not to mention how much a concern it is of how they are affecting one’s health. Knowing that, I can’t imagine liking them even if they didn’t give me horrible headaches.
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Oops! Been a bit MIA today.
Looks like our OP is doing everything that can be done to remove the chemical stench.
Volatiles can be removed by either trapping them (activated carbon filters), destroying them (ozonation, but ozone is dangerous and should be left to the pros), or by removing them (ventilation).
Carbon filters have limited capacity so need to be changed often. They work well to capture “greasy” things, however, not all volatiles might stick to charcoal. Ozone is very destructive and dangerous and shouldn’t be used in a DIY manner. Ventilation generally will take time; volatiles will evaporate faster with increased temperature and air exchange.
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Add me to the camp that hates that new car smell. I am on my second new car in 14 months (same make a model from the same dealership) and I swear, they added “extra” to it this time around.
Anyone else here old enough to remember the smell of the first “permanent press” clothing? Especially in the sun? That smell is central to my childhood memories. Probably why I got cancer later in life.
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My daughter was recently in an accident, hit while waiting to turn by someone who totally misjudged going around her. Car needed a lot of body work done–just got it back last week.
I use it to ferry grandkids home from school (it has the carseats). The smell of the paint or glue or whatever they used to fix the damage is killing me! Been migraine-y all week and I’m sure that’s contributing. Also not happy the kids have to breathe it.
So annoyed at the person who “was sure he was going to go around her, not hit her.”
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She says she’s fine, though I do worry that she really got jogged hard when the car hit her. Luckily the kids were not with her!
I think they’re airing out as much as possible, but they don’t have a garage and would not want to leave windows open at night.
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