HealthyCar.org

HealthyCar.org is based on research conducted by the Ecology Center that looks at the presence of key hazardous chemicals in vehicles. While there are numerous substances in vehicles that can lead to health and environmental problems, HealthyCar.org focuses on bromine, chlorine, lead, as well as some other heavy metals, allergens and carcinogens. All of these substances were chosen because of their toxicity, persistence, and/or tendency to build up in people and the environment. All of them have also been subject to regulatory restrictions and/or voluntary limits set by industry associations or third party certification organizations.

HealthyCar.org includes test results from approxomiately 450 of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. market between model years 2006-2009. Vehicle samples were taken over two testing periods. The first sampling phase included vehicles of model years 2006 and 2007 that were sampled from October to December of 2006. The second sampling phase was conducted from April to June of 2008 and included vehicles with model years ranging from 2007 to 2009. Due to constant turnover of vehicles at a dealership, we are restricted by the models and model years available on the dealer's lot on the day of sampling.

In each vehicle, 11 different components were sampled using a portable, hand-held X-Ray Fluoresence (XRF) spectrometry device. The components sampled include: steering wheel, shift knob, armrest/center console, dashboard, headliner, carpet, seat front, seat back, seat base, hard and soft door-trim. The XRF device identified the elemental composition of each of these components. Based on these findings, each vehicle was given an overall rating, as well as chemical ratings for bromine, chlorine, lead and a group of substances referred to as "other chemicals". A detailed description of the rating system is provided in the full report.

The overall vehicle rating indicates the relative level of concern associated with the materials in the vehicle, in comparison to all other vehicles tested. The ratings range from 0 to 5, with 0 representing vehicles with the relative lowest concern and 5 the relative highest.

Each vehicle is also assigned a relative level of concern of low, medium or high. Vehicles with a low rating are indicated in green. Vehicles with a high rating are indicated in red. All other vehicles received an average or medium rating and are indicated in yellow.

The chemical ratings for bromine, chlorine, lead and other chemicals indicate the relative concern associated with levels of those chemicals detected in the vehicle, in comparison to all other vehicles tested. These ratings also range from 0 to 5, with 0 representing vehicles with the relative lowest concern and 5 the relative highest.

HealthyCar.org ratings do not provide any absolute measure of health risk or chemical exposure associated with any individual vehicle, or any individual element or related chemical. HealthyCar.org ratings only provide a relative measure of "level of concern" for a vehicle in comparison to all other vehicles sampled.

In addition to toxic chemicals, consumers might also want to consider other issues, such as fuel-economy and safety, when considering a vehicle purchase. New this year, Healthycar.org has included the fuel economy data for each vehicle in order to help consumers make a more informed choice about which vehicle best meets their needs. Visit the resources page to find links to other helpful vehicle shopping tools.

For a detailed description of our rating system and methodology, download the full report.