AFTER enduring the crushing heat of the sun, most motorists can’t wait to get into their vehicle and turn on the AC.

According to research, this could be an unhealthy practice.

After opening your car door, roll down the windows and after about five to 10 minutes turn on the air-conditioning.

Here’s why: According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa and air freshener emit Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin (carcinogen — take time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car).

In addition to reportedly causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anaemia and reduces white blood cells.

Prolonged exposure is said to cause leukaemia, increasing the risk of cancer. Studies show that it may also cause miscarriage. Acceptable Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq ft. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level. People who get into the car, keeping windows closed will inevitably inhale, in quick succession excessive amounts of the toxin.

Benzene is a toxin that affects the kidney and liver. What’s worse, it is extremely difficult for the body to expel this toxic stuff.