I received another email (thank you - I really do appreciate them!) about the dangers of air conditioning and benzene poisoning. As I stated in yesterday's post, I really do try to do a bit of research before I respond to these messages.
Here is the email I received:
My new car's booklet specifically states that one should open car windows for 5 minutes + to air the car before switching on the Air Condition I wondered why.
No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. Hmmm. Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week. As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess its not too late to make some changes Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!
Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.
Here's why:
According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car). In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. Can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. Ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver.. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff - before you enter.
I haven't done all the research on the acceptable levels of Benzene - and honestly, don't care. Like yesterday's post - remember that everything as it breaks down releases gases. The same is true when you heat things up - molecular changes occur. We know this - look at water - what happens when we super heat water? We have discussed the dangers of diet sodas due to the change in its molecular structure when it is super heated. So, there isn't much of a surprise that when all the plastic and other components of your vehicle are super heated - there is bound to be some changes that occur. Does your car smell the same cold as it does after a 95 degree day?? Hardly. I believe your danger lies in thinking that nasty smell when you get into a hot car isn't a warning sign to you.
As for the specific issue with your car and Benzene snopes has a good breakdown for you http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/benzene.asp and so does about.com http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/automobiles/a/benzene_in_car.htm
It is very wise to open your car several minutes before you plan to get in it and go anywhere - whether it is hot or not. Obviously, in frigid temperatures one might not choose to do this - but in any weather there will be some buildup and just because it is cold NOW doesn't mean it wasn't hot earlier in the day - or between driving.
Blessings... E
Here is the email I received:
My new car's booklet specifically states that one should open car windows for 5 minutes + to air the car before switching on the Air Condition I wondered why.
No wonder more folks are dying from cancer than ever before. We wonder where this stuff comes from but here is an example that explains a lot of the cancer causing incidents. Hmmm. Many people are in their cars first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, 7 days a week. As I read this, it makes me feel guilty and ill. Please pass this on to as many people as possible. Guess its not too late to make some changes Car A/C (Air Conditioning) MUST READ!!!
Please do NOT turn on A/C as soon as you enter the car. Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the AC after a couple of minutes.
Here's why:
According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa, air freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car). In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer. Can also cause miscarriage.
Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. Ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession, excessive amounts of the toxin. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver.. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff.
So friends, please open the windows and door of your car - give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff - before you enter.
I haven't done all the research on the acceptable levels of Benzene - and honestly, don't care. Like yesterday's post - remember that everything as it breaks down releases gases. The same is true when you heat things up - molecular changes occur. We know this - look at water - what happens when we super heat water? We have discussed the dangers of diet sodas due to the change in its molecular structure when it is super heated. So, there isn't much of a surprise that when all the plastic and other components of your vehicle are super heated - there is bound to be some changes that occur. Does your car smell the same cold as it does after a 95 degree day?? Hardly. I believe your danger lies in thinking that nasty smell when you get into a hot car isn't a warning sign to you.
As for the specific issue with your car and Benzene snopes has a good breakdown for you http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/benzene.asp and so does about.com http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/automobiles/a/benzene_in_car.htm
It is very wise to open your car several minutes before you plan to get in it and go anywhere - whether it is hot or not. Obviously, in frigid temperatures one might not choose to do this - but in any weather there will be some buildup and just because it is cold NOW doesn't mean it wasn't hot earlier in the day - or between driving.
Blessings... E
For those living in Texas, this is definitely a concern - but it also shows you that Benzene poisoning isn't just coming from the granite / stone countertops: http://clusteralliance.org/category/disease-cluster-community-news/texas/
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