Car odors are an inevitable challenge faced by car owners. Whether the vehicle is brand new or has been used for some time, it tends to have its distinctive interior smell. This unique scent, characteristic of car interiors, is something that car owners often encounter. Whether you frequently use your car as a smoking area or have just purchased a second-hand vehicle that carries a strong smoke smell, the lingering smoke inside the car can be a source of discomfort for both passengers and car owners.
The interior of a car is a confined and compact space with limited air circulation, making it difficult for odors to dissipate naturally. Over time, individuals may become desensitized to the smell due to prolonged exposure.
There are various types of odors that can be present in a car, including the distinct smell of engine oil, the scent of gasoline from the fuel tank, or even the plastic odor emitted by the interior components. To effectively address these odors, it is crucial to identify their source and understand where the pollution originates. By pinpointing the specific areas or components contributing to the odor, appropriate measures can be taken to eliminate or mitigate the problem.
Material
Automobiles incorporate a wide range of materials, including plastic, rubber, fabrics, adhesives, paints, and insulation materials. These components often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which consist of organic solvents, additives, and other substances. As a result, these materials have the potential to emit harmful gases such as formaldehyde, compounds from the benzene series, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).
The presence of these gases can pose health risks, as formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and benzene compounds can have detrimental effects on the respiratory system. Additionally, TVOCs contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause various symptoms such as eye and throat irritation, headaches, and allergic reactions.
Understanding the composition of these materials and their potential for releasing harmful gases is crucial for addressing and mitigating the associated risks. By implementing proper ventilation, using low-VOC or VOC-free materials, and regularly maintaining and cleaning the interior of the car, it is possible to reduce the concentration of these harmful gases and improve the overall air quality inside the vehicle.
Pollutants
The pollutants found in car interiors primarily consist of hydrocarbons, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. These pollutants can enter the car through the exhaust pipe, crankcase, and fuel evaporation, originating from the vehicle itself. Additionally, the prolonged use of air conditioning can lead to the accumulation of pollutants and the generation of foreign substances.
Within the car’s interior, complex components such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, microorganisms, benzene, carbon monoxide, olefins, and aromatic hydrocarbons permeate the air, making the removal of odors a challenging task. Traditional solutions like bamboo charcoal have limited adsorption capacity and require frequent replacement, resulting in high costs. Aromatherapy, although pleasant, only masks odors and fails to effectively eliminate them. On the other hand, ozone deodorization has proven to be a scientifically effective solution.
About ozone
Ozone, an allotrope of oxygen, is recognized as the second most potent oxidant after fluorine. When present at specific concentrations, ozone can engage in biochemical oxidation reactions with microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, effectively achieving a bactericidal effect. It is widely believed that ozone eradicates viruses by directly damaging their ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) substances. In the case of bacteria and similar microorganisms, ozone initially targets the cell wall, causing harm to its membrane components, resulting in metabolic disorders and inhibiting their growth. Ozone continues its penetration, progressively destroying the tissue within the membrane until the microorganism is eradicated.
Due to its high energy, ozone exhibits poor stability. At room temperature and pressure, ozone molecules are prone to structural changes and swiftly decompose into oxygen (O2) and individual oxygen atoms (O). These individual oxygen species (O) possess robust reactivity and exert powerful oxidative effects on microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.
Consequently, ozone can react with nearly all substances, including various bacteria, viruses, and more. Ozone gas effectively eliminates mold and odors from the air and objects in an environment, while also degrading harmful substances like formaldehyde, benzene compounds, sulfides, carbon monoxide, and ethylene. This degradation process involves oxidation, transforming these substances into harmless compounds. Ozone is also capable of decomposing airborne odors, smoke, and scented water. By employing an ozone-releasing disinfection device, the air quality inside vehicles can be improved through air purification. Utilizing ozone to eliminate harmful substances such as bacteria, viruses, formaldehyde, and benzene derivatives can yield excellent deodorization results. It should be noted that some compounds like ammonia, nicotine, bacteria, formaldehyde, and toluene exhibit greater resistance to ozone purification.
When utilizing ozone for odor removal, it is crucial to be mindful of the ozone concentration within the vehicle, as ozone is not breathable like oxygen. While a minimal amount of ozone is beneficial to the human body, excessive concentrations can irritate the respiratory system and pose certain health risks. Therefore, it is important to vacate the vehicle when disinfecting and deodorizing its interior.
During ozone deodorization, it is necessary to close the car’s doors and windows, allowing ozone to be released and circulated inside the vehicle. This ensures that the concentration of ozone reaches a level suitable for sterilization, disinfection, and the elimination of all odors. Particularly problematic substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, amines, nicotine, and bacteria are effectively removed through this process, which is both straightforward and safe.
As an airborne disinfectant, ozone diffuses to every corner of the vehicle, leaving no area untouched. With a 360-degree reach, ozone ensures thorough disinfection and odor removal within a matter of minutes, without any areas being left untreated.
By following proper guidelines and precautions, ozone deodorization can effectively enhance the cleanliness and freshness of a vehicle’s interior. It eradicates odors and eliminates harmful substances, providing a healthier and more pleasant driving environment.
