{
  "id": 11613050,
  "title": "Thinking of wrapping your car in a giant plastic bag for a flood? It’ll stay dry, but could grow mould and float away, warns Thai scientist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/thinking-of-wrapping-your-car-in-a-giant-plastic-bag-for-a-flood-itll",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-03T05:28:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/10/03/thinking-of-wrapping-your-car-in-a-giant-plastic-bag-for-a-flood-itll-stay-dry-but-could-grow-mould-and-float-away-warns-thai-scientist/237516"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bangkok, October 3 — Thai scientist Jessada Denduangboripant, a biology lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and well-known science communicator, has cautioned against using giant plastic bags to protect cars during floods. While the method could serve as an emergency measure to protect a vehicle from water damage, it also presents risks. Jessada, who specializes in evolutionary biology and animal systematics, explained on Facebook that the sealed plastic can create a humid environment inside the car, promoting mould growth. He recalled similar issues during Thailand's major floods in 2011, where motorists found mould spreading inside their cars after removing the plastic covers. Additionally, the trapped air inside the plastic bag may give the car enough buoyancy to float, potentially carrying it away from its original location. Jessada advised motorists to secure the plastic cover to prevent it from drifting away and colliding with other objects. To reduce humidity, he recommended placing moisture-absorbing containers inside the sealed space.",
  "summary": "BANGKOK, Oct 3 — As floodwaters rise, some motorists may be tempted to wrap their cars in giant plastic bags to ke...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}