Question from audrey
I am writing for a friend who is looking for a new car and who has mcs. She found a car that she likes but it requires diesel fuel. Do you see any reason that this would be worse if one has mcs instead of using regular gas?
She also has seen some cars that have leather seats. She said the leather in cars about ten years ago seemed to be more toxic/smelly than the ones today. Do you know if this is true? Also she said she has read that some leather in cars are now having fragrance added to the leather. Was wondering if you knew anything about that and how can we stop such a foolish thing. Thank you for your help.
Debra’s Answer
Well, actually diesel exhaust contributes 15 times more secondary organic aerosol chemicals than gasoline emissions per liter of fuel burned. So gasoline would be a better choice for MCS.
Now leather seats. It depends on the seats. I have leather seats, but I bought my car used and they had not been treated with any kind of cleaner. I love my leather seats.
I once reupholstered my car seats with cotton canvas. I brought my fabric to a car upholstery place and they did it for me. So that is always an option.
I am curious about the diesel as well – most particularly with regards to both bio-diesel and the standard diesel fuel. Curious since other countries have managed (or seem to have) manufacture vehicles that run cleaner and are using diesel fuel.
I have driven a diesel vehicle for over twenty years – but frankly all fuel gives me a headache if I do the pumping. I’m considering a newer diesel auto – so this truly has me a bit concerned.
Leather is great, but be certain that the car is all leather and not merely on the parts that you tend to touch. Many manufacturers are utilizing a mix of leather and vinyl to accomplish the look. Leathers are not the same as they were years ago – not even as little as five, so many grades of leather are being used.
We looked at used cars, but majority have added petroleum based cleaners to seats and such horrid ‘scents’ on interiors, it’s literally sickening to shop for an auto.
I am the one that initiated this email for my friend who has mcs. She bought a 2014 Ford Focus. She lives in Boynton Beach, Florida (SE Florida) where it is very humid and very hot right now. She would like to know the best way to air out the new car – which products would be best to use – zeolite, X-O Concentrated Neutralizer (says it kills all odors), or would the best way be to just keep the doors open as much as possible (which is difficult these days – constantly getting sudden thunderstorms. Thank you so much for your help.
I suggest you contact Odorklenz and ask them which of their products to use. They do disaster cleanups so I think they would have something that would remove odors from a car.