Pollution in your car: an invisible danger for your health

The air you breathe in a car can be much more polluted than outside, with health risks, especially in heavy traffic areas. Dr. Kierzek explains how to limit pollutants in the cabin and protect our health and that of our passengers.

Pollution in the passenger compartment: an often underestimated danger

Studies show that the air inside a car can be up to 15 times more polluted than the air outside, and on average, twice as polluted in tunnels.

Pollution in a car comes from two main sources:

• External pollutants which infiltrate into the passenger compartment: fine particles, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, ozone.
• Pollutants emitted by interior materials: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plastics, fabrics, glues, as well as suspended micro-plastics.

Certain factors increase the concentration of pollutants in the passenger compartment:

• Heat, which promotes the emission of VOCs from materials;
• A short distance from the preceding vehicle;
• Traffic in tunnels or on busy roads;
• Poor maintenance of the vehicle interior.

Regular exposure to this polluted air can cause asthma attacks, promote the development of allergies and lead to various health problems, particularly in vulnerable people.

Improving the air in your car: the right reflexes

Here are some solutions to improve the air quality in your car:

• Ventilate the cabin regularly.
• Change the cabin filter approximately every 15,000 km.
• Clean the car interior frequently.
• Activate the “recycling” function in traffic jams to avoid polluted air.
• Keep a distance of at least 5 meters from the vehicle in front.

The advice of Dr. Gérald Kierzek

Join us every morning at 8:50 a.m. The advice of Dr. Kierzek. From managing our stress to our nutrition and even our sleep, he gives you good advice on every aspect of our daily life.

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