Will my car’s cabin air filter protect me against the coronavirus?
In times like these, every measure we can take seems to be not enough to preserve our health. For those who still need to get around by car, there are certain precautions to be taken. Many have wondered: Will my car’s cabin air filter protect me against the coronavirus?
To answer this question, we first need to understand what a cabin air filter does: It is a filter made of a synthetic material that has the ability to retain microorganisms, polluting pollutants, and odours, thus increasing the quality of the air breathed by passengers and improving the efficiency of the operation of the vehicle’s heating system. See video below:
The car’s cabin air filter can be compared to the ordinary masks that people have been using on the streets. If you are infected with the virus, it can help prevent other people from being infected from the particles that come out of your mouth, but it will hardly protect you.
According to this article on the website kbb.com, the most efficient car air conditioning filters available on the market (HEPA filters) can retain particles that measure no more than 0.3 microns in diameter. The coronavirus measures between .06 and .14.
So, wiping down your vehicle’s surfaces with the right products is the best measure you can take to help protect you against the coronavirus, or any other virus for that matter. See some tips on how to disinfect your vehicle here.
In any case, as mentioned above, even if it does not offer efficiency against the coronavirus, it is a good idea to change the filter regularly in order to preserve the health of the passengers and the good functioning of your vehicle.
If you have any questions or would like us to check if the air conditioning filter in your vehicle needs to be replaced, call or text our Service Department at 250-489-4311. Stay Safe!
Sources: kbb.com
Video Credit: Mighty Auto Parts