Are You Driving Around in
a Sick Car?
Feb 25, 2003 5:44 pm
US/Eastern
Pittsburgh
- Toxic mold has forced families from
their homes and students from their schools; but
if you think you're safe from spores behind the
wheel -- think again. What you don't know about
your car could actually be hazardous to your health.
Regardless of its make or model, your vehicle
could have a problem with mold. Since you can't
always see it, though, you might not know you
have a problem until you start to feel the effects.
"It's
awful, it really is... sneezing, coughing, my
nose starts burning severely."
-- Elaine Simpson,
Moldy Car Owner Rob Simpson bought his new truck
last year for $35,000. Though he says he likes
the way it looks and drives, he doesn't like the
way it smells -- "a real musty smell."
Simpson says his problem started with a water
leak -- and then another. "The first time it leaked...
from the bed into the carpeting," Simpson adds,
"the carpeting was totally soaked. The second
time it leaked, it poured out of this headliner
button right... it was literally like a sprinkler
system."
The truck has been back to the dealer eight times
in six months, leaving Simpson with a pile of
repair bills and a car his wife and daughter won't
ride in.
Consumer attorney Craig Kimmel says the Simpsons
aren't alone. "We see it as a trend," explains
Kimmel. "Now with the design of new cars, the
air tightness for efficiency and gas mileage and
the aerodynamics of vehicles -- it's made them
much more tight -- and just like homes, mold problems
have arisen as a result."
Kimmel says it's a problem that manufacturers
must "absolutely" address.
"The
operating conditions of a vehicle under warranty
requires the manufacturer to make repairs. A car
should not have a moldy condition either through
the air conditioning or heating systems for any
reason."
-- Craig Kimmel,
Consumer Attorney Kimmel says bacteria, fungus,
mold and spores can trigger allergy and asthma
attacks that can severely affect the use of your
car -- and should be treated like any other defect
that can't be fixed. "Under warranty it's the
manufacturer's responsibility to make sure that
the dealer's work actually results in a repair."
"I
don't care if you spend $5,000 or $30,000... I
think people should be responsible for what they
sell."
-- Elaine Simpson
The Simpsons have had their carpet replaced three
times and the car deodorized, but the moldy smell
remains.
Attorney Kimmel says if the problem isn't fixed
after three tries, consumers can seek relief under
the Lemon Law or under the federal warranty act.
The bottom line is there is protection to help
you get a car you can actually use. The best recommended
product for a fair value suggested for all cars
is the surround
air purification system.
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