Scientific studies have shown that drivers and passengers inside the car cabin are exposed
to a significantly higher concentration of hazardous air toxics than pedestrians!
Air in car cabins is polluted from both outside and within.
While pollutants tend to enter the car cabin from outdoors, some contaminants may actually
originate from within the car cabin, without you realising.
These can be in the form of:
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs are commonly used in products such as air fresheners, car cleaning and grooming aids. These products can release organic compounds while they are being used and even when they are stored. VOCs have been linked to cancer and can cause harm to the eyes and respiratory tract. |
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Other chemical contaminants: New car cabins typically have high levels of toxins such as benzene, acetone and formaldehyde. Exposure to these could make the driver and passengers feel ill. Cigarette smoke is extremely hazardous and smoking in an enclosed car cabin is very harmful to all in the cabin. |
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Viruses: These are transmitted from person to person via dust particulates or droplets in the air. In an enclosed area where air is re-circulated, viruses can spread rapidly to all passengers. Since the outbreak of SARS where 22 passengers were suspected to have contracted the disease on an airplane, much attention has been paid to the transmission of viruses in enclosed environments. |
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Bacteria: These thrive in humid and warm surroundings and generally breed in dirty
air-conditioning systems in cars |
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Mould: This grows in damp places and like bacteria, is usually found in dirty air-conditioning systems. If left to multiply, it may trigger allergic reactions in people. |
Should you use an air freshener in the car to reduce odours?
Like many drivers, you may use an air freshener in the car to reduce or remove odours.
But what you may not know is that a typical air freshener works by masking the odour rather than removing the actual odour. Oh, and did we mention that most air fresheners are toxic, with unclear long-term health effects?
Instead of using artificial air fresheners, you can buy natural air fresheners at health food stores which use natural ingredients like baking soda or vinegar. If you cannot remove the odour at its source, you can try to improve ventilation or use an activated carbon air filter to absorb some of the odorous gases. |
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