Issue 10, 2022

The effect of built-in and portable ionizers on in-cabin ozone concentrations in light-duty vehicles

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of ionizers on the ozone concentration within vehicle cabins by using a series of measurements combined with a kinetic box model. Testing consisted of measuring ozone concentration during static tests where the ventilation of the test vehicle was turned on and off depending on the test. This testing was repeated for three different portable ionizers and two vehicles with built-in ionizers. Ionizer A produced ozone at a rate of ∼0.04 ppb s−1 (∼0.68 mg h−1), which increased the in-cabin O3 concentrations of a Mitsubishi Mirage to ∼10 ppb with the fan off and ∼6 ppb in the recirculation mode. In the fresh air mode, in-cabin O3 concentrations were dominated by outdoor-to-indoor transport. Ionizer B and C produced O3 at a rate of less than 0.008 ppb s−1 (<0.14 mg h−1); however, during retesting, ionizer C was shown to emit large amounts of ozone for short amounts of time while being tested up close. The same testing was completed on vehicles with built-in ionizers; these produced <0.01 ppb s−1 (<0.32 mg h−1 in the Buick Enclave and <0.25 mg h−1 in the Hyundai Genesis), and in-cabin O3 concentrations were again dominated by outdoor-to-indoor transport with fresh air ventilation. While ionizers are currently regulated, the negative impact they have on in cabin air quality is important to continue monitoring.

Graphical abstract: The effect of built-in and portable ionizers on in-cabin ozone concentrations in light-duty vehicles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 mar 2022
Accepted
23 jul 2022
First published
25 jul 2022

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022,24, 1725-1734

The effect of built-in and portable ionizers on in-cabin ozone concentrations in light-duty vehicles

D. Mendez-Jimenez, P. S. J. Lakey, G. Johnson, M. Shiraiwa and H. Jung, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022, 24, 1725 DOI: 10.1039/D2EM00129B

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