Most purifiers are used in the home to remove allergens, cigarette smoke, bacteria and odours. By purifying the air around them, they improve our homes and help us stay healthy.
In recent years, more and more devices have been developed to filter the air in our cars. After all, we spend a lot of time driving with our windows closed, so why not install an air purifier for the car?
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Our selection for the year 2023
Car air cleaners are similar to those found in our bedrooms and living rooms. They absorb or filter pollution in the atmosphere such as allergens, odours and volatile organic compounds.
n addition to helping you stay healthy, using an air purifier in your car will allow you to breathe fresher, odour-free air. So that you can enjoy a healthy drive, we have a selection of the 3 best car air purifiers.
1. Philips GoPure 5212 Car Air Purifier
The most efficient
The GoPure 5212 purifier provides air filtration and odour absorption for your car. Equipped with the SelectFilter Plus filtration system, the Gopure 5212 consists of a pre-filter, a HESA filter and a HEPA filter. Combined, these three filters remove up to 90 % of airborne pollen allergens and other pollution molecules such as nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, cigarette smoke, sulphur dioxide, exhaust fumes, etc. The GoPure 5212 has a 16 m3 per hour for fine particles of 2.5 microns in size, which can renew the air inside your car in less than 20 minutes.
Equipped with a 12V power cable, this car air purifier plugs into the cigarette lighter, allowing the unit to turn on and off with your engine. Finally, the GoPure 5212 has two filter speeds and a filter replacement indicator that is estimated to last approximately 350 hours.
2. EPILUM car air purifier
Our favourite ❤
The EPILUM air purifier is composed of a HEPA filter combined with a carbon filter. This 2-in-1 filter provides optimal filtration of pollen, PM 2.5 and polluting particles smaller than 0.3 microns (dust, pollen, animal hair, dust mites, etc.), as well as bad odours and pollution molecules (formaldehyde, exhaust fumes, etc.) in your cabin.
With a four-speed fan and LCD display, the EPILUM purifier shows temperature, humidity, operating status and fan speed. It is also equipped with the ionisation function to enjoy greater comfort in your home, thanks to the negative ions released into the air. Quiet and efficient, this product can be connected to your car using a USB cable. You only need to replace the filter every 6 months or so.
3. ALFAVIEW air purifier bag
The economic plus
The ALFAVIEW Air Purifier Bag provides an environmentally friendly approach to treating the air in your car. Made of organic 100 % bamboo charcoal, this purifier can last up to two years if you remember to expose the charcoal to sunlight for one hour every month.
Effective, the ALFAVIEW bag captures airborne molecules such as formaldehyde, benzene, exhaust fumes, etc., and neutralizes odours. Aesthetic and discreet, it is ideal for sanitising small spaces, whether in the car or at home (fridge, shoe cupboard, wardrobe, etc.). Last but not least, it works for up to two years. After that, you will need to buy new bags or replace the activated carbon in it.
Why is the air inside a car more polluted than outside?
Stale air can easily enter your car, because your car is not designed to be airtight. Whether your windows are open or not, air contaminated by emissions from surrounding vehicles enters your vehicle through vents and other small gaps.
Is your home also polluted?
>> Discover our complete guide to air purifiers
What is in car exhaust?
Concentration levels of certain pollutants and toxic compounds can be up to twelve times higher inside your vehicle than along the road. These include exhaust fumes, which are a veritable cocktail of dangerous pollutants, including :
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) This pungent-smelling gas can lead to respiratory problems, lung irritation and lower resistance to respiratory infections.
- Ozone (O3) Ozone: under the effect of the sun, nitrogen oxides (NO) tend to be transformed into ozone. Ozone is the main component of smog and a major lung irritant. Long-term exposure can cause asthma and severe, permanent structural damage to the lungs.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) This odourless, colourless and toxic gas triggers short-term effects similar to those of oxygen deprivation, such as dizziness, fatigue and confusion.
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Inhalation: quickly, inhalation causes chest pain and shortness of breath. In the long term, it can cause acute respiratory illness.
- Fine particles (PM 2.5) These particles, which are between 0.1 and 2.5 microns in size, can lodge in lung tissue and lead to respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. According to a recent studyLong-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as cardiac arrhythmia and heart attacks.
- Ultrafine particles (UFP) Particulate matter: less than 0.1 microns in diameter, it accounts for about 90 % of all airborne particles. Their microscopic size means that they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream once inhaled and deposited at the bottom of the lungs. From there they travel with the bloodstream to all vital organs, including the brain.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) VOCs are a chemical combination of gas molecules such as acetone, styrene, xylene, benzene and formaldehyde. While VOCs are produced by exhaust fumes, they can also be produced by the products you use in your car: hairspray, perfume, odour spray, etc.