HealthyCar.org — Using the Guide

HealthyCar.org is based on research conducted by the Ecology Center that looks at the presence of key hazardous chemicals in vehicles and child car seats. 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 over 200 of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. market from the 2006 through 2008 model years. 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.

HealthyCar.org has also tested over 130 popular 2007 & 2008 child car seats for the same chemicals. All of the major components in each car seat were sampled, including: seat cushion, foam backing, seat base, seat belt clip, and sun shade (when available).

The XRF device identified the elemental composition of each of these components. Based on these findings, each vehicle and car seat 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 rating indicates the relative level of concern associated with the materials in the vehicle or car seat, in comparison to all others tested. The ratings range from 0 to 5, with 0 representing vehicles and car seats with the relative lowest concern and 5 the relative highest.

Each vehicle and car seat is also assigned a relative level of concern of low, medium or high. Products with a low rating are indicated in green. Products with a high rating are indicated in red. All others 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 or car seat, in comparison to all others tested. These ratings range from 0 to 5, with 0 representing vehicles and car seats 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 car seat, or any individual element or related chemical. HealthyCar.org ratings only provide a relative measure of "level of concern" for a vehicle or car seat in comparison to all others sampled.

It is important to always use a child car seat, no matter what rating is received.

In addition to toxic chemicals, consumers might also want to consider other issues, such as fuel-economy and safety, when considering a vehicle or car seat 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.

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