That fresh-off-the-lot scent might give you major main character energy, but international researchers just did a vibe check on new car interiors, and the results are straight-up toxic. After monitoring the air inside new vehicles parked outside for 12 days, scientists discovered high levels of deadly chemical substances lingering where you breathe.

A joint peer-reviewed study conducted by the Beijing Institute of Technology and Harvard University found that the concentration of harmful substances inside new car cabins significantly exceeds safety benchmarks. According to reports featured in Forbes, this "new car smell" is actually the result of off-gassing—a process where interior materials release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air.

"The 'new car smell' is actually a complex chemical cocktail of VOCs that can cause everything from headaches to more severe long-term health issues," says Dr. David Volz, a professor of environmental toxicology. "When these levels spike in a confined space, the health risks become impossible to ignore."

The study identified specific chemical compounds in the cabins that have a proven link to cancer. These "silent killers" include formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, both of which were found at levels that would make any health-conscious driver rethink their daily commute.