How a Dirty Cabin Air Filter is Harming You and Your Family
Changing your car’s cabin air filter is arguably one of the cheapest and even the easiest auto-related tasks you can do by yourself. However, many car owners are unaware of this or are putting off replacing it up until they start smelling unpleasant odors, or worse, until they and their entire family start sneezing, coughing and eventually suffering more serious health conditions.
Changing a dirty or clogged cabin air filter is an often overlooked task that people usually just do whenever they are notified about it by their dealership or mechanic. Moreover, it's easy to overlook something that does not immediately affect the car’s basic function or transporting you from point A to B, but things will be different once you know the real health dangers it can cause you and your loved ones.
Protecting You From Unseen Threats
Your cabin air filter basically ensures that the quality of the air you breathe inside your car is free from harmful particles that might penetrate through your air conditioner. As the name suggests, it filters the air you breathe from contaminants that may be naked to the eyes such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and even viruses. It’s basically functions as a face mask - your car’s own face mask.
According to StatCan, Canadians typically spend at least 24.1 minutes commuting by car, truck, or van on average. This does not even include the time spent on traveling by car, running errands or going on a road trip. Realistically speaking, you and your family spend a significant amount of time inside your vehicle so it’s really important for you to ensure that your car is as safe and as comfortable as possible.
Health Hazards Caused by Dirty Cabin Air Filters
When your cabin air filter is dirty, the quality of air inside your car is compromised when the contaminants stuck in the filter re-enters your vehicle and ultimately gets inhaled or ingested by the passengers. In basic terms, the air tends to be polluted and filled with harmful fine particles that can enter your respiratory system. For people with serious respiratory and allergic conditions, this can even be detrimental if not addressed. When you or your passengers start to sneeze, get teary eyed, cough, or experience labored breathing inside your car, you really have to replace your cabin air filter.
A dirty cabin air filter is also a breeding ground for microbial growth like mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses and other nasty microorganisms. More than the unpleasant and unnerving smell, these microbes can cause mild to serious illnesses you don’t want your loved ones to get. Choosing a premium cabin air filter with a tech-functional layer like those from FreshenOpt can prevent bacteria and mold from growing on the filter and in the cabin.
In a nutshell, making your car a safe space for you and your family is not that difficult and definitely not rocket science. Taking the time to check and replace your cabin air filter is such a simple, yet essential way for you to ensure your family’s health and safety inside your car.
