The new car smell everyone knows and loves might actually be a health risk, new research shows. 

A new study published in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science suggested the scent could increase the risk of cancer.

“It’s a mixture of a whole bunch of chemicals … [that] come from the paints, and the glues, and the sealants, and the plastics, et cetera used on the inside of the car,” Dr Karl told Luke Bradnam.

“Some of them are toxic, some of them are known to cause cancer and some of them are at levels, for the first couple of months, higher than is considered safe.”

Press PLAY below to hear how car manufacturers get around safety requirements

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