Most newer cars come equipped with cabin air filters that filter particulates out of the air as it is pumped through the HVAC system. Unfortunately, they do little to address odors or VOCs and should not be used by people with respiratory issues.
If you’re looking to address smelly items such as cigarette smoke, sweaty sports gear or food, rolling down the windows may help. Otherwise, you might want to consider investing in a car air purifier.
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The Benefits of Breathing Clean Air While Driving
Most of us spend a lot of time in our cars. Unfortunately, many of the pollutants found outside are also present inside our vehicles, along with chemicals and odors that come from the interior.
While changing your cabin air filter regularly and running the ventilation fan in recirculation mode help improve cabin air quality, these measures don’t tackle all of the airborne contaminants that contribute to poor indoor and outdoor air quality. In order to get the cleanest air possible, you should consider investing in a car air purifier.
These devices are similar to those found in some homes, offices and medical facilities. They use HEPA filters to remove smoke, dust, pollen, mold spores, and other respiratory irritants from the air in your vehicle’s cabin. Some have a carbon filter to help remove odors. Portable units that plug into the cigarette lighter are available, as well as models that can sit in your cup holder or on your dashboard.
The Top Pollutants Found Inside Your Car
Most people spend at least 300 hours a year driving, which means they’re breathing in a lot of car pollutants. Those pollutants include exhaust, allergens, and even microbes like bacteria and viruses.
Another big problem is odors from things like tobacco smoke, weed and pet dander. Air purifiers can help with these, too.
Many of the best car air purifiers for cars feature HEPA filters and activated carbon beds. They also often feature ionization, which emits ions that cause pollutants to clump together and drop out of the air.
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Other air purifiers are simply plug-in devices that work by emitting a stream of negative ions along with ozone to cut through airborne contaminants and odors. These can be very effective, but they also require regular maintenance because they’re not as efficient at trapping pollutants as true filters. They often work by simply plugging into a car’s cigarette adapter or USB port. They’re also typically quite compact.
How Car Air Purifiers Can Help Remove Harmful Pollutants
Unlike car air fresheners that only mask smells with perfumes, car air purifiers for vehicles remove pollutants and odor-causing chemicals. Many are based on a natural, environmentally friendly, charcoal filter that absorbs irritants directly and then can be replaced with a new one as needed. Others use an ionizer or an ozone generator to neutralize the molecules that cause bad odors without leaving behind any lingering scents.
Because you spend so much time in your car cabin, it’s important to make sure that the air is as clean as possible. A quality car air purifier can help to improve your driving experience and help you stay healthy while on the road. They are usually compact and designed to fit in cup holders, on dashboards, or even under the back of seat headrests. Many also feature digital extras like real-time air quality monitoring and Bluetooth/WiFi app compatibility. They’re powered by either the cigarette lighter or are battery-powered for convenience and to save on electricity costs.
The Effect of Poor Air Quality on Driver Alertness and Reaction Time
Many newer vehicles have standard cabin filters that help filter out some of the most common pollutants. However, these filters can be ineffective in removing odors and airborne pathogens. That’s why car air purifiers are a great option for enhancing your driving experience and keeping your vehicle smelling fresher.
Some car air purifier work by using ionization to clean the air. They produce ions that cause particles to clump together and become heavy so they fall out of the air. However, ionizers can also produce ozone as a side effect which can be toxic at high concentrations.
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Other car air purifier use a more efficient and effective method of cleaning the air by utilizing multi-stage filtration and ozone neutralization. The best ones will feature HEPA-rated filters to capture and trap harmful particles. Additionally, they will feature a compact design so that you can easily fit them in your cup holders or on the dashboard of your car.
