Group: Toxicity in Cobalt is low

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

The Cobalt earned a score of ‘low concern’ in an examination of its interior.

YOUNGSTOWN — The interior of the Lordstown-manufactured Chevrolet Cobalt emits low levels of toxic chemicals, according to the results of a study completed by HealthyCar.org.

The Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental organization that works for a safe and healthy environment, created HealthyCar.org as a project to determine the levels of toxic chemicals in popular vehicles in the U.S.

Researchers tested 450 of the most popular 2006 to 2009 vehicle models for chemicals that have been known to be toxic, persistent and/or have a tendency to build up in people or the environment. Chemicals of particular concern to researchers included bromine, chlorine and lead.

Researchers sampled 11 interior parts in each vehicle, including the steering wheel, arm rest/center console, dashboard and carpet.

The Cobalt scored 0.8 out of 5, with 0 being of “low concern” regarding harmful chemicals emitted from its interior. The level of bromine was measured at 0.5, chlorine and lead at 0.0 and “other chemicals” at 1.8.

The models of the same class as the Cobalt that earned scores of “low concern” were the 2008 Smart Pure and the 2008 Smart Passion Cabriolet. The models that scored the “high concern” were the 2008 Volkswagen EOS and 2008 Suzuki Forenza.

According to the center’s Web site, the “new car smell” comes from toxic chemicals that are released from plastics, foam and fabrics used to make steering wheels, dashboards and seats. Drivers and passengers breathe in the chemicals through air and dust. Allergic or other acute reactions, including long-term health conditions, such as birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer, can result from the ingestion of the chemicals.

Some children’s car seats are made with many of the same chemicals that have been found in auto parts.

HealthyCar.org also tested 130, 2007 and 2008 children’s car seat models for the same chemicals. The seat cushions, foam backings and seat belt clips were among the parts that were sampled.

According to the center, not all interior auto parts are made with the offending chemicals; therefore, some auto manufacturers have switched to parts made with less toxic chemicals.

The results of each vehicle model’s test can be found on the organization’s Web site.

hschoenstein@vindy.com