The widespread use of cars has made commuting convenient, but车内 air pollution acts like a time bomb hidden within the vehicle, constantly threatening people's health. To minimize the harm caused by车内 air pollution, an increasing number of users are opting for car air purifiers. Commonly used products include car air fresheners, air purifiers, activated carbon, car-mounted air purifiers, and negative ion generators, among others.
Recently, the China Consumers' Association selected 17 air purifier products available on the market for comparative testing, assessing their effectiveness in removing several common pollutants found inside vehicles. Carbon pack products showed the best removal of harmful gases such as formaldehyde and benzene; cushion products had some removal effect, but it was not as pronounced as that of the carbon pack products; the spider plant had a certain removal effect on only a few harmful gases, such as ammonia, where it showed a significant removal effect.
What should we pay attention to when it comes to deodorizing the interior of a car? Where do the harmful substances inside the car come from? Below,小康 will address these questions one by one.
Chemical pollution inside vehicles primarily originates from two main sources: First, the new car itself. During production, interior components are made with a large amount of plastics and adhesives, and once produced, they are immediately released into the market, lacking a release period for harmful gases. Second, the vehicle's interior decoration, as most consumers decorate their cars after purchase. Items like plush toys, cushions, and adhesives used for decoration can also increase the release of formaldehyde and benzene gases if of poor quality, leading to indoor air pollution.
Additionally, the heat generated by the engine after prolonged operation increases the volatilization of pollutants inside the vehicle, and the amines, nicotine, and other substances it produces can also harm passengers. The vehicle's condition also affects the air quality inside. When the vehicle is in motion, the exhaust fumes emitted by cars on the road—such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, respirable particles, and various volatile organic compounds—will become the main pollutants in the cabin air.
After purchasing a new car, you can choose appropriate air purifying products to concentrate on removing pollutants from the vehicle. However,吸附类净化 products have a certain saturation period, and they should be discarded promptly after use. They should not be left in the car for long periods, as they may release the pollutants they have absorbed after being exposed to prolonged sunlight.
When purchasing activated carbon products, ensure the packaging is intact. After using activated carbon products for a period, air them out in fresh outdoor air to release the adsorbed harmful gases before placing them back in the vehicle for continued use.
In daily use, to maximize the air cleanliness inside the vehicle, first, avoid prolonged stays in a sealed car and frequently open windows for ventilation; ideally, have a thorough cleaning and disinfection every six months to a year. Additionally, keep the vehicle's interior clean. Second, when using the car's air conditioning during summer and winter, set it to the external circulation mode as much as possible, reduce the time spent in internal circulation, and avoid using air conditioning with the windows sealed for extended periods. If a foul smell is detected, perform a safety check and choose an air purifier to eliminate the odor.
Many users are accustomed to placing air fresheners, such as perfumes or deodorizers, inside their cars. However, these air fresheners primarily mask odors by emitting fragrances, confusing the sense of smell to "dilute" the unpleasant smells, and do not actually eliminate harmful gases from the air.
Currently, there's a wide variety of air fresheners on the market, but they are predominantly composed of ingredients like ether and fragrances. After these substances chemically decompose in the air, some of the resulting gases are themselves air pollutants, which actually exacerbate the level of air pollution inside vehicles. Long-term use may pose adverse health effects.
