Evaluation of interior air quality in terms of volatile organic compounds emission inside a new passenger car cabin depending on the temperature

The new passenger car, BMW 225 XE was tested. The results of measurements of concentration of VOCs carried out inside the car cabin depending on the temperature were presented. The investigation was carried out in a special climatic chamber isolated from external factors such as outside air pollutants and weather conditions. The following temperature values have been set: 17ºC, 20ºC, 35ºC and 50ºC. The samples were located inside and outside of the vehicle’s cabin. As expected, the concentrations of each compound increased with increasing temperature (volatility of VOCs increases with the temperature). Values of concentrations obtained in the measurements have been compared with the values of highest acceptable concentration specified in polish law. The article describes the investigation, which was provided in a special climatic chamber. The chamber was isolated from external weather conditions and pollutants. Before each sampling interior of car cabin was ventilated to remove all pollutants from inside. Concentrations of BTX measured in different temperatures were converted to temperature of 20ºC.