Vehicle indoor air quality is determined by the complex interaction between interior material emissions (such as VOCs and aldehydes) and road-sourced pollutants. Despite growing public concern, existing frameworks often focus on single pollutants and lack a comprehensive health-impact-based evaluation. This study proposes the Vehicle Indoor Air Quality Index (VIAQI), which integrates acute, chronic, and odor-related exposures from internal sources with the infiltration of ambient air pollutants. The VIAQI adopts a safety-oriented priority (HQacute → SF → OA → HQchronic), reflecting the driver’s cognitive safety. It consists of 10 levels, ranging from Grade 1 (Excellent) to Grade 10 (Hazardous). Under three operating modes (AM, PM-6 hr, and DM), the analysis includes 21 chemical substances, as well as PM2.5 and NO2. Acute risks are assessed using OEHHA’s RELs, chronic risks via US EPA’s RfC, odor effects are quantified using a smell sensitivity index (SF), and outdoor air infiltration is evaluated through a weighted hazard index (OA). After evaluating actual new vehicles, Vehicles A, C, and D are categorized as Grade 3 (Good), while Vehicle B is categorized as Grade 9 (Very Unhealthy) and Vehicle E is categorized as Grade 10 (Hazardous). Notably, Vehicle B is rated Grade 9 due to acute toxicity risks identified through RELs-based assessment, even though it meets all current national regulatory standards. This highlights the existence of health hazards that conventional concentration-based regulations may overlook. As Korea’s first multi-dimensional evaluation system for vehicle air quality, the VIAQI offers a practical tool for manufacturers to implement quality control, set policy, and communicate consumer information, providing a proactive assessment based on real-world driving environments.

Abstract
1. 서 론
2. 재료 및 방법
    2.1 건강영향 기반 자동차 실내공기질 지수 개발
    2.2 연구대상 물질 선정
    2.3 차량 실내공기질 측정 및 분석
3. 결과 및 고찰
    3.1 실내공기질 지수(VIAQI) 개발
    3.2 VIAQI 종합 등급 결과
    3.3 오염물질 측정결과
    3.4 지표별 위해성 기여도
    3.5 사례 적용 및 변별력 검증
4. 결 론
감사의 글
References
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• 김영현(서경대학교 환경화학공학과) | Young-Hyun Kim (Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Seokyeong University)
• 정지윤(서경대학교 환경화학공학과) | Ji-Yoon Chung (Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Seokyeong University)
• 심예진(서경대학교 환경화학공학과) | Ye-Jin Shim (Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Seokyeong University)
• 이철민(서경대학교 환경화학공학과) | Cheol-Min Lee (Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Seokyeong University) Corresponding author