Can A Cabin Air Filter Reduce Air Pollution Inside Your Car?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the strongest air pollution standards in history for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles on March 20th, 2024. These new standards will reduce more than 7 billion tons of carbon emissions from the air we breathe. And that’s great news for all of us. With seasonal allergies on the rise and air pollution often reaching critical levels in dense cities, frequently changing your vehicle’s cabin air filter in Kearny Mesa, CA, is a wise choice.

Types Of Air Pollution Found In Your Car

While the type and amount of air pollution inside your car’s cabin can vary depending on your climate, city density, and other factors, be aware that the following pollutants are common everywhere.

Traffic Emissions

Air pollution present inside your car often enters from outside through open windows and air vents. Exposure to air pollution from traffic emissions on crowded roads with heavy truck traffic is a well-known health hazard. People with respiratory issues and heart disease are especially vulnerable. The exhaust from combustion engine vehicles that use gasoline or diesel contains several dangerous pollutants, including: 

• Carbon Monoxide
• Nitrogen Oxides
• Particulates (soot, heavy metals, carbon)
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Pollens And Molds

Across much of the United States, the growing season lasts longer due to warmer temperatures. With a delayed first frost in Autumn, plants that generate allergens have more time to grow. The high carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere also encourage more plant growth, generating more pollen. When the weather turns moist with frequent rain, the falling leaves start to break down, and mold growth is common. The largest allergens for most people are:

• Burning bush
• Cocklebur
• Molds & mildew
• Pigweed
• Ragweed
• Sagebrush 
• Tumbleweed

Manufacturing Materials

Manufacturing automobiles involves hundreds of different materials, including plastics, fabric fibers, animal leather, industrial adhesives, paints, and lubricants. Many of these materials release VOCs into your vehicle’s interior. Irritant chemicals and known carcinogens may include: 

• Benzene
• Ethylene glycol (from coolant/antifreeze fumes)
• Engine oil
• Formaldehyde
• Gasoline fumes

Cleaners & Personal Care Products

Common products used for cleaning or disinfecting often contain chemicals that become concentrated (and possibly dangerous) in enclosed spaces like your vehicle’s interior. Additionally, scented air fresheners and personal care products (like lotions, colognes & perfumes, cosmetics, and deodorants) also release harmful VOCs. When all these products are combined, your car’s cabin can become a miasma of chemical irritants that qualify as air pollution.

Cigarette & Vaping Chemicals

Secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes and vaping contains hundreds of chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic. These compounds can cause or worsen a vast range of damaging health conditions in children and adults. Cases of lung cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma are significantly higher for people exposed to secondhand smoke. Common chemicals in these products include: 

• Arsenic ammonia
• Benzene
• Chemical flavors
• Formaldehyde
• Hydrogen cyanide
• Synthetic fragrances
• Vinyl chloride

Benefits Of A New Cabin Air Filter

Now that we have explored the scary side of air pollution in our car’s interior let’s look at ways to minimize our exposure. Routine cabin air filter maintenance means replacing it every 6 – 12 months, depending on the environmental factors where you drive. A dusty area or a climate that promotes a lot of pollen-heavy plants, flowers, or even farming may require more frequent cabin air filter replacements.

Reduction Of Particulate Matter

Driving with the windows down feels great when the weather is warm (but not too hot). However, as Fall approaches and it gets chilly outside, many of us will keep our car windows closed. And that’s actually a great way to reduce particulate matter from getting inside your car’s interior. When you use the HVAC system (running the A/C, heater, or fresh air vents), the airflow increases inside the vehicle, and the cabin air filter purifies that air. Filtered air contains less pollen, dust, soot, and other particulates.

More Efficient HVAC System

Clean air is also good for your vehicle’s HVAC system. The cabin air filter reduces pollutants in the A/C and heating components, so they operate more efficiently. The ventilation system has a lot of complex parts that are expensive to replace. Maintaining a clean cabin air filter is a wise investment to prolong the lifespan of those components.

More Pleasant Driving Experience

Since many of us spend a great deal of time in our cars, finding ways to make that time more enjoyable is nice. A great tune on the radio and plenty of fresh air can help make a long commute more bearable. Alternatively, foul odors, triggered allergies, and drowsiness while driving all detract from a pleasant drive. When you notice any of these unpleasant factors or a drop in airflow from the vents when you turn on the ventilation system, replace your cabin air filter.

Cabin Air Filter Service in Kearny Mesa, CA

Replacing a cabin air filter is pretty straightforward, and many people perform it themselves. Read your owner’s manual to find the location of your filter and which filter type to purchase. If you prefer to leave it to the professionals (especially if the filter is in a hard-to-reach spot), schedule an appointment with Wentworth Automotive in Kearny Mesa, CA. Our service technicians can often add a cabin air filter replacement to any service appointment or oil change.

Schedule A Cabin Filter Service

So, if you have concerns about the levels of air pollution in your car’s interior or have more seasonal allergies while driving, schedule your service today! Call us at (858) 541-1044 or visit our website to make a reservation for a cabin air filter replacement.