As shocking as it may sound, this Cary,Durham,Raleigh DUI lawyer has something negative to say about the “new car smell”. Several years ago, after receiving some reports that excessive exposure to the “new car smell” could make a motorist ill, scientists decided to determine exactly what compounds made up the “new car smell” and whether or not such compounds could potentially be dangerous. In ultimately determining that, yes, a new car does emit potentially harmful toxic compounds into the cabin of the vehicle for six months or longer after being manufactured, they discovered something else. One of the compounds making up the “new car smell” was acetone — a subset of the methyl alcohol family.
Now, I have previously posted that most breathalyzer machines (including those used throughout the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area) are actually measuring any form of methyl alcohol — not just drinking alcohol found at a liquor store or in a bar. Methyl alcohol can be found in all types of other everyday products, such as paint thinners, gasoline, wood stains, etc. And do you actually have to swallow these types of methyl alcohols for them to be absorbed into your bloodstream? No. Studies also suggest that methyl alcohol can enter your bloodstream simply by being inhaled or absorbed through the skin — and can remain in the bloodstream for 36 hours or more.
So, the next time your stopped in the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area driving a new car — think twice before submitting to a breathalyzer test…it could falsely incriminate you for D.U.I.
