Performance of automotive cabin air filters.

The cabin air filter performance is of prime importance for the air quality in vehicles. New clean filters were tested but also filters loaded with actual traffic contaminants. Both laboratory and field measurements were included in the study. Direct reading instruments and filter sampling was used for the loading rate determinations. The filter performance includes particle filtration efficiency with regards to particle size, filter loading and flow rate as well as filter pressure drop related to filter loading. Test results for these paramenters are presented. The results indicate that present car cabin fibre filters could be considerably improved, if restriction in fan power use could be overcome.