Australian scientists warned drivers and passengers of new cars..........after collecting a new car and driving it for only 10 minutes.

Passage A

Australian scientists warned drivers and passengers of new cars that danger lurks within their brand new vehicles. It is not the soft fabric or leather that encases comfortable bucket seats, or the shining new dashboard, or the designs of the sporty steering wheel that harbor the danger. It is the reassuring smell of the new car that spells danger. The odor actually contains high levels of toxic air emissions that can make the driver and passengers ill.

A research organization in Australia conducted a comprehensive research on three cars. Drivers were asked to keep logs on how they felt and reacted to the lush interiors of their cars. The researchers also carried out observations on the reactions of the drivers and at the same time interviewed them.

Anecdotal evidence was therefore carefully gathered and analyzed. The results revealed that the very smell of a new car that enthralls the new owner, contains high levels of toxic emissions. What is even more alarming is the fact that these toxic emissions are present in cars even after 6 months or longer of leaving the showroom. Anecdotal evidence during the study revealed that drivers were becoming ill when they drove their new cars. A lawyer reported being ill with headaches, lung irritation, and swellings for several days after collecting a new car and driving it for only 10 minutes.

Passage B

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) is Australia's main scientific body. They conducted a research on the toxicity of the interior of new cars over a period of two years. Steve Brown, the head of the CSIRO's air quality control research unit draws a parallel between the home and the car. He says, "Just as air inside our homes and workplaces is often much more polluted than the air outside, so sitting in your new car can expose you to levels of toxic emissions that are many times beyond health guideline goals."

The toxic emissions contain many chemicals and they include for example, benzene, acetone, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers. The effects of each are far from benign. Benzene is a cancer-causing agent, acetone is a mucosal irritant, ethylbenzene is a systemic toxic agent, and xylene isomers is a foetal development toxic agent.

So what are the precautions that new car owners have to take? Brown pointed out in a statement that the remedy was simple. "To avoid some exposure to this toxic cocktail, people who buy new cars should make sure that there is plenty of outside air entering the vehicle while they drive it for at least 6 months." The implications are clear. Drivers should refrain from using their car air-conditioners and drive with their windows rolled down.

Summary: Australian scientists have warned that the reassuring new smell of a new car actually contains high levels of toxic air emissions that can make the driver ill. A study by Australia :s main scientific body, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), revealed that high levels of toxic emissions are found in new cars for up to six months or more after leaving the showroom. The toxic emissions are cancer-causing, a mucosal irritant, a systemic toxic agent and a foetal development toxic agent. The remedy is to make sure that for six months, plenty of fresh air enters the vehicle while driving.