Eau de New Car

Strawberry? No thanks. Coconut? Maybe next time. I've got my heart set on bromide, chlorine and lead. Wait...what?

We're so in love with the notion of the "new car smell" that many of us make it our fragrance of choice when we go to the car wash. However, the chemical stew that gives your new car that particular bouquet of leather, dollar bills and maybe a hint of Channel No. 5 is actually quite harmful in some vehicles.

Michigan based advocacy group The Ecology Center recently published its annual guide to toxic chemicals that can be found in vehicles and car seats. The good news is that many companies are working to improve the overall health of their vehicles and The Ecology Center has compiled a list of some of the best examples (bad offenders are on the list too). Find out if the new car you've been eyeing is on the list of healthy vehicles. [Marketwatch]