Research has shown that in-car pollution is often worse than the air at nearby air-quality monitoring stations.1

In-car air pollution levels frequently reach concentrations that may threaten your health. Every day harmful airborne particles including vehicle exhaust, fine road dust, pollutants and allergens are drawn in through your car’s fresh air vent. Automobile and diesel truck exhaust emissions are a major source of pollutants including benzene, toluene (hazardous exhaust pollution), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Recent studies have indicated a correlation between riding in traffic and changes  in heart rhythm.

• Exposure to fine, airborne particle pollution increases the risk of premature death, heart attacks and other respiratory and cardiac problems and has been linked to lung cancer.2

• Concentrations of benzene, a known carcinogen, have been shown to reach levels 4 to 8 times higher inside automobiles than out.3

• A 2004 study found that being in urban traffic may increase the risk of heart attack in susceptible people.4

• Healthy, young highway patrol officers in North Carolina developed changes in heart rhythm during their shifts while driving in areas where outside air pollution was relatively low.5

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children and infants are among the most susceptible to many air pollutants. Children have increased exposure compared with adults because of higher minute ventilation and higher levels of physical activity.6

• Scientific studies have linked particle pollution, especially fine particles, with a series of significant health problems, including: increased respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, aggravated asthma, development of chronic bronchitis, irregular heartbeat, nonfatal heart attacks and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.6

The Road to Cleaner Air campaign is to provide education and awareness to consumers on the benefits of an automotive interior air filter.   Similar to your furnace or air-conditioning system filter at home, your auto air filter needs to be changed regularly to be most effective. For optimal air quality in your car, we recommend changing your interior auto air filter every six months.

1. California Air Resources Board, Measuring Concentrations of Selected Air Pollutants Inside California Vehicles, 1999. Available at  www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/in-vehsm.htm
2. Pope, Ca, Dockery DW. Health Effects of Fine Particulate Air Pollution: The Lines That Connect. J Air Waste Mgnt. Assn. 2006. 56: 709-742
3. California Air Resources Board. 1999
4. Peters A, et al. Exposure to Traffic and the Onset of Myocardial Infarction, New Eng J Med, 2004. 35: 1721-30.
5. Riediker M, et al. Particulate Matter Exposure in Cars is Associated with Cardiovascular Effects in Healthy Young Men, Am J Resp Crit Care Med, 2004. 169: 934-940
6. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Latest Findings on National Air Quality. 2001 Status and Trends. Available at www.epa.gov

2006 American Lung Association®. The American Lung Association and DuPont are partners in interior automotive air quality education. The American Lung Association does not endorse products. The DuPont Company pays a royalty to the American Lung Association for the use of its logo .