The safety tests done by experts on famous models of cars have revealed that they are letting in harmful amounts of air pollution inside the cabins.
The new revelation has called for the regulation of air conditioning systems in cars as huge discrepancy has been discovered in purifying the incoming air, consequently exposing millions of people inside to the toxic pollutants with each breath they take.
Emission Analytics, the laboratory in the United Kingdom (UK) which performed the trials, stated that the variation was to be blamed on the lack of government standards overseeing air purification systems.
The Toyota C-HR, one of the cars tested, performed worst as it blocked only 1% of the air pollutants. VW Polo dealt with 35% of the air pollutants while Ford Fiesta restrained 40% of them.
Mercedes E-class, however, stood out while purifying 90% of the incoming air and establishing that the technology is there to safeguard commuters.
Nick Molden, the Chief Executive of the laboratory, while talking to Sunday Times, said, “Drivers can be exposed to high levels of air pollution while believing that they are being protected by the air filtration and ventilation system.”
The source of the dangerous air pollution is the emissions and exhausts from other vehicles plying on the roads which are filled with high concentrations of particulate matter (PM).
PM easily dissolves in the bloodstream owing to its size and exposing asthmatics to serious health hazards. The pollution makes people succumb to several heart diseases, respiratory problems and certain cancers.
The evaluation was also conducted on the high priced new Jaguar E-Pace which curbed 43% of air pollution, the VW Touran which blocked 59% of it and the Vauxhall Astra which successfully stopped 83% of the pollution.
Mr Molden further added, “There is minimal data available to tell consumers about what they’re buying and if the kids of the buyer suffer from asthma or any other similar condition, they can’t be sure if their car is providing enough protection to the kids.”
He also said that the employers of those who drive as part of their work can be sued as the vehicles are the drivers’ workplace and employers may be subjected to health and safety laws.
Though the majority of cars have a ‘recirculation’ switch which allows the blockage of external air coming in, it has been seen to causing the risk of drowsiness as the levels of carbon dioxide are increased because of the breathing by the occupants.
Picture Credits: Greg Gjerdingen
