This study examined the carbon dioxide (CO_2) pollution inside vehicles under low ventilation condition and evaluated the Air Quality System (AQS) for in-vehicle air quality using two techniques. The low ventilation condition is not recommended in order to keep oxygen-rich condition inside vehicles. Under the low ventilation condition, the in-vehicle CO_2 concentrations exceeded 1,000 ppm, the air quality guidelines in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan, indicating more oxygen deficiency inside vehicles. On the contrary, with the AQS-on condition, the in-vehicle CO_2 concentrations were less than 1,000 ppm for most of the driving time, indicating that the AQS could solve the problem of CO_2 accumulation inside vehicles under the low ventilation condition. The AQS test conducted by comparing carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations inside two vehicles indicated that the AQS effectively decreased the in-vehicle concentrations by 21 to 36%, as compared to medium ventilation condition with the windows closed, the vent opened, and air conditioning on. In addition, The AQS test conducted by comparing the interior and exterior concentrations indicated that the AQS effectively decreased the in-vehicle concentrations by 18 to 31%, as compared to medium ventilation condition.

Vehicle occupant exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been a subject of concern in recent years because of higher levels of VOCs inside vehicles as compared to the surrounding ambient atmosphere and because of the toxicity of VOCs. The effectiveness of two commercial ACDs for the removal of selected VOCs in the interior of automobiles was evaluated on 115 commutes through urban (Taegu) commutes by two cars and 9 idles. The idling and commuting studies conducted under four different driving conditions showed that the two commercial ACDs were not effective for the removal of VOCs in the interior of vehicles. The concentrations of all target VOCs except benzene were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the interior of older car than of newer car. The mean levels of benzene and toluene measured in this study were well excess of earlier other studies in the United States, besides Los Angeles with which was comparable. It was reported that the in-vehicle exposure to benzene and corresponding upper-bound cancer risk were about 8 times higher than those for outdoor environment, while they were about half of those from indoor environment.