Imagine spending all your hard-earned cash on a brand-new car, only to find that you can only drive it for 40 minutes a week because you’re allergic to it.
That’s exactly what happened to Barnsley research scientist Dr Geoffrey Evans, who described how he gets a “stinging, burning sensation” across his body every time he takes his Audi A1 for a drive.
Dr Evans, who holds a PhD in combustion chemistry, said that it’s the formaldehyde used in the car’s upholstery and plastic which causes the reaction, despite initially being told the car didn’t contain it.
"Stinging, burning sensation"
Speaking to the Yorkshire Times, he said: “It’s bringing out all kinds of rashes which start burning at first, then the red spots appear. It has also made me have to bathe my eyelids twice a day to get rid of the terrible redness it gives my skin.”
According to the 64-year old retired scientist, he believes that the allergy may have started back when he was working with chemicals on a daily basis as a research chemist in a laboratory.
“Your body is sometimes aware of the allergies and they can remain in your body,” he said. “But it does not necessarily react with you straight away - only when you get run down.”
As soon as he took delivery of his new car in December, he reported getting chronic eczema outbreaks on his legs, which start to go red and burn as soon as he gets into the vehicle.
Formaldehyde allergy common
Formaldehyde allergy is relatively common, and sufferers like Dr Evans often have trouble with various household items like shampoos, cleaning products and plastics which contain the chemical.
The same substance used to embalm dead bodies, formaldehyde can be present in plastics, rubbers and textiles used in cars, and is also used to create ‘new car smell’ fragrances.
Dr Evans added: “I do love the car, but people need to be aware of the potential for the chemical to be present in new cars.”
