Purifying Car Air: Strategies To Minimize In-Car Pollution

Air pollution is a serious issue, with around 99% of people worldwide living in places where the air quality is hazardous, according to the World Health Organization. Cars are a significant contributor to this problem, producing a large portion of the world's pollution, and the air inside cars can be even more polluted than the air outside. This is due to emissions from the vehicle itself, as well as from external sources, and can have negative effects on the health of drivers and passengers. However, there are several ways to reduce air pollution inside cars, including maintaining your vehicle, using efficient driving practices, and choosing the right car.

Avoid idling and switch off your engine if you're parked for a while

Idling your car is when you leave the engine running while the vehicle is parked. This is a major source of air pollution and can be easily avoided. Firstly, it is unnecessary to warm up your car engine by idling. Modern vehicles do not need to be warmed up, even in winter. The best way to warm up your engine is to start driving; the engine will warm up twice as fast, and you will also warm up the cabin interior. If you are parked and waiting, it is healthier to get out of the car and go inside, as idling means you are breathing in more of the dirty exhaust that leaks into the car cabin.

Secondly, idling wastes fuel and causes excess engine wear. Frequent restarts are not hard on a car's engine and battery, and the added wear is much less costly than the fuel wasted by idling. Idling increases overall engine wear by causing the car to operate for longer than necessary.

Thirdly, idling is unhealthy for those inside and outside the car. Idling tailpipes emit the same hazardous pollutants as moving cars, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants have been linked to serious illnesses, including asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. They can impair decision-making, make people sleepy, or exert other adverse health effects.

Finally, idling is costly. An idling car uses between 1/5 and 7/10 of a gallon of fuel per hour, and an idling diesel truck burns approximately one gallon of fuel per hour. Turning off your engine when parked will save you money and fuel.

Keep your car well-maintained and serviced

Keeping your car well-maintained and serviced is a key part of reducing air pollution inside your vehicle.

Firstly, it is important to keep your engine properly tuned. This means regularly changing the oil, air filter, and checking the fluids. It is also important to change the spark plug, spark plug wires, and clean the fuel system at the manufacturer's recommended intervals. This can improve your car's mileage by more than 4%. If your check engine light is on, fixing the issue can sometimes improve mileage by over 30%.

Secondly, ensure your tyres are properly inflated. Under-inflated tyres can reduce your car's rolling resistance, improving gas mileage by more than 3%.

Thirdly, reduce the weight in your car. Every 100 pounds reduces fuel efficiency by 1-2%. Similarly, removing a roof rack can add about 5% to your miles-per-gallon rating.

Finally, drive steadily. Fast acceleration and inconsistent speeds can reduce your car's overall efficiency by over 4%.

In addition to these measures, it is important to regularly service your car. This should include changing the cabin air filter, which protects the occupants from harmful pollutants. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter every 15,000 miles or so.

Avoid air fresheners and fragranced products

Air fresheners and fragranced products are a significant source of indoor air pollution in cars. Scented air fresheners and personal care products such as cosmetics and deodorants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the cabin air. VOCs are harmful gases that can impair decision-making, cause drowsiness, and exert adverse health effects.

To reduce air pollution inside your car, avoid using air fresheners and fragranced products. Instead, opt for keeping the inside of your car clean and clutter-free. Regularly wipe down surfaces, including door panels, consoles, and dashboards with a damp cloth, and vacuum upholstery and carpeted floors and mats.

Additionally, it is important to keep the windows closed when driving in heavy traffic or during a traffic jam. By recirculating the cabin air and using a low fan speed, you can reduce the concentration of ultrafine nanoparticles that are particularly good at penetrating the human lungs. However, this setting increases the accumulation of carbon dioxide, especially when more than one person is in the car. Therefore, it is recommended to switch between recirculation mode and fresh air periodically to maintain a balance between particulate matter and carbon dioxide levels.

By avoiding air fresheners and fragranced products, you can significantly improve the air quality inside your car and reduce potential health risks associated with exposure to VOCs.

Keep your windows closed when in traffic

Keeping your windows closed when stuck in traffic is a good way to reduce the amount of air pollution inside your car. When you're in heavy or stop-and-go traffic, the air quality inside your car can be affected by pollutants from the outside air. Closing the windows helps to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the air inside your car.

However, it's important to note that keeping your windows closed can increase the accumulation of carbon dioxide inside the car, especially if there is more than one person inside. This is because carbon dioxide is a normal byproduct of breathing. If you're going to keep your windows closed, it's recommended to turn on the air recirculation setting and use a low fan speed. This will help to remove most of the ultrafine nanoparticles that are particularly good at penetrating human lungs.

If you need to keep your windows closed for an extended period, it's a good idea to increase the ventilation fan speed. This will provide a bit more ventilation than a low speed, but it will also be noisier. Alternatively, you can open the windows slightly to let in some fresh air, especially if you're driving at a slower speed.

In some areas, there may be no idling' zones where you are required to turn off your engine if you're going to be parked for a while. This helps to reduce air pollution and save fuel. So, if you're stuck in traffic and need to keep your windows closed, turning off your engine can also help to reduce the amount of air pollution inside your car.

Choose a more fuel-efficient car

Choosing a more fuel-efficient car is a great way to reduce air pollution. When shopping for a new car, look for fuel-efficient vehicles with low greenhouse gas emissions. These cars are better for the environment and can also save you money on fuel costs. Here are some tips to help you choose a more fuel-efficient vehicle:

• Consult resources like the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide to learn about vehicles that are more efficient and less polluting. This includes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and cleaner-burning gasoline vehicles.
• Utilize the EPA's Fuel Economy and Environment Label to compare different vehicle models and find the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly option that suits your needs.
• Consider electric vehicles, which produce no exhaust emissions when being driven, positively impacting local air quality. However, keep in mind the need for recharging and ensure you have access to charging facilities.
• Opt for hybrid vehicles, which offer a greener alternative to traditional cars. They combine electric power with a petrol or diesel engine, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
• If you require a larger vehicle, compare the fuel economy of available options to select the most efficient one. Driving the most efficient vehicle you can afford reduces pollution and fuel costs.
• If you prefer a traditional gasoline vehicle, be aware that newer models tend to be more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly due to the adoption of Clean Car standards.
• When comparing similar cars, consider that diesel models generally use less fuel than petrol ones but may produce more harmful emissions. Weigh your priorities and local regulations when making a decision.
• If you live in an area with established clean air zones, take advantage of the incentives or schemes offered to encourage the use of cleaner vehicles.

Frequently asked questions