QuickCheck: Can your car's air-conditioning protect you from the haze?
This article examines whether car air-conditioning systems can effectively filter out haze particles (PM2.5). Research suggests that using high-efficiency cabin filters and the recirculation mode can significantly reduce in-cabin pollution levels.
Why it matters
Understanding how to mitigate exposure to air pollution is vital for public health, especially in regions frequently affected by haze.
MANY drivers believe that winding up the windows and switching on the air-conditioning is enough to keep the haze out of the car.
With nearly 40 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index readings Oct 9, that belief is being put to the test on the daily commute.
But can your car's air-conditioning protect you from the haze?
A car's air-conditioning can help protect you from the haze, but how much depends on the windows, the filter and the ventilation setting.
The fine particles in haze, known as PM2.5, have been linked to cardiovascular disease, and researchers have measured how much of them ends up inside cars.
Most of the protection comes from the cabin air filter in the ventilation system, which catches particles before the air reaches the cabin.
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