First investigations of fine and ultra-fine dust concentrations in vehicle interiors

Particulate matter is not only a subject in outdoor environments but also in indoor environments. Results of exploratory analysis of fine dust and ultra-fine dust particles in car cabins and to some extent in the air which enters the car cabin through the ventilation system are presented. The measurements were carried out with the equipment of the Grimm company such as the Laser Particle Counter (LPC), the Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) and the Nano Check. The number of particles > 0.30 mu m measured by the LPC were detected in a similar range in the car-cabin as well as in the air of the ventilation system and in the ambient air. Generally, the three peaks are running parallel whereas the peak of the ambient air is a little higher than the others. Only the coarse particles (> 2 pm) will be retained from the ventilation system. Usually local emissions of the cars will not be collected using the LPC but in contrast the CPC and the Nano-Check. The maximum of the emissions measured with the CPC and the Nano check was the particle diameter of 5.5 to 20 nm. The particle count measured by Nano-check (measuring range > 20 nm) is lower than that measured by CPC. Inside the car one third to the half of the number concentration of the ambient air was measured. Significantly high number concentration was found in driving on the highways, through channels and on ascending roads. Due to the impact of ultra-fine particles professional drivers have a high risk to exposure.