Articles | Volume 4, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-4-559-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/ar-4-559-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Assessment of cabin filtration efficiency: contribution to an on-road methodology
Ambre Delater
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Sébastien Fable
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Brice Berthelot
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Cécile Raventos
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Jessica Queron
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Isabelle Coll
Univ Paris Est Creteil and Université Paris Cité, CNRS, LISA, 94010, Créteil, France
Olivier Le Bihan
INERIS, Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
Related authors
Elie Al Marj, Ambre Delater, Aline Gratien, Marie Line Torrijos, Juan Camilo Macias Rodriguez, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Antonin Bergé, Cécile Gaimoz, Thomas Bertin, Emmanuelle Mebold, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Jean-François Doussin, Clément Buissot, Sophie Lanone, and Patrice Coll
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 13645–13660, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-13645-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-13645-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
The "PolluRisk" platform simulated two urban scenarios: standard traffic and biomass burning. Using a smog chamber, the study showed that wood heating significantly modified aerosol chemistry, with organic fractions reaching 40 % of PM1 mass. Advanced mass spectrometry identified specific tracers of oxidation and combustion. These results provide a chemical framework for separate biological exposure experiments.
Thomas Audoux, Ambre Delater, Manuella Ghanem, Jean-Baptiste Lily, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Benedicte Picquet-Varrault, Patrice Coll, Esperanza Perdrix, Laurent Alleman, and Davy Rousset
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4293, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4293, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Air pollution can affect human health, but not all particles are equally harmful. We developed a new instrument that measure the oxidative properties of the atmosphere continuously. Laboratory experiments showed that pollutants formed through sunlight-driven chemical reactions have a greater oxidative potential than particles containing higher levels of metals under night-time conditions. This will help us to better understand how rapid changes in air pollution may affect health.
Elie Al Marj, Ambre Delater, Aline Gratien, Marie Line Torrijos, Juan Camilo Macias Rodriguez, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Antonin Bergé, Cécile Gaimoz, Thomas Bertin, Emmanuelle Mebold, Bénédicte Picquet-Varrault, Jean-François Doussin, Clément Buissot, Sophie Lanone, and Patrice Coll
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 13645–13660, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-13645-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-13645-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
The "PolluRisk" platform simulated two urban scenarios: standard traffic and biomass burning. Using a smog chamber, the study showed that wood heating significantly modified aerosol chemistry, with organic fractions reaching 40 % of PM1 mass. Advanced mass spectrometry identified specific tracers of oxidation and combustion. These results provide a chemical framework for separate biological exposure experiments.
Thomas Audoux, Ambre Delater, Manuella Ghanem, Jean-Baptiste Lily, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Benedicte Picquet-Varrault, Patrice Coll, Esperanza Perdrix, Laurent Alleman, and Davy Rousset
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4293, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-4293, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Air pollution can affect human health, but not all particles are equally harmful. We developed a new instrument that measure the oxidative properties of the atmosphere continuously. Laboratory experiments showed that pollutants formed through sunlight-driven chemical reactions have a greater oxidative potential than particles containing higher levels of metals under night-time conditions. This will help us to better understand how rapid changes in air pollution may affect health.
Arineh Cholakian, Matthias Beekmann, Guillaume Siour, Isabelle Coll, Manuela Cirtog, Elena Ormeño, Pierre-Marie Flaud, Emilie Perraudin, and Eric Villenave
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3679–3706, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3679-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3679-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This article revolves around the simulation of biogenic secondary organic aerosols in the Landes forest (southwestern France). Several sensitivity cases involving biogenic emission factors, land cover data, anthropogenic emissions, and physical or meteorological parameters were performed and each compared to measurements both in the forest canopy and around the forest. The chemistry behind the formation of these aerosols and their production and transport in the forest canopy is discussed.
Cited articles
Alves, C. A., Vicente, E. D., Vicente, A. M. P., Rienda, I. C., Tomé, M., Querol, X., and Amato, F.: Loadings, chemical patterns and risks of inhalable road dust particles in an Atlantic city in the north of Portugal, Sci. Total Environ., 737, 139596, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139596, 2020.
Amato, F., Pandolfi, M., Moreno, T., Furger, M., Pey, J., Alastuey, A., Bukowiecki, N., Prevot, A. S. H., Baltensperger, U., and Querol, X.: Sources and variability of inhalable road dust particles in three European cities, Atmos. Environ., 45, 6777–6787, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.06.003, 2011.
Brockmann, J. E.: Aerosol Transport in Sampling Lines and Inlets, in: Aerosol Measurement, 68–105, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118001684.ch6, 2011.
Bukowiecki, N., Dommen, J., Prévôt, A. S. H., Richter, R., Weingartner, E., and Baltensperger, U.: A mobile pollutant measurement laboratory – measuring gas phase and aerosol ambient concentrations with high spatial and temporal resolution, Atmos. Environ., 36, 5569–5579, https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(02)00694-5, 2002.
China, S., Salvadori, N., and Mazzoleni, C.: Effect of Traffic and Driving Characteristics on Morphology of Atmospheric Soot Particles at Freeway On-Ramps, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 3128–3135, https://doi.org/10.1021/es405178n, 2014.
Delater, A., Fable, S., Berthelot, B., Raventos, C., Queron, J., Coll, I., and Le Bihan, O.: Assessment of cabin filtration efficiency: contribution to an on-road methodology, Zenodo [data set], https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22671117, 2026.
DIN 71460-1: Road vehicles – Air filters for motor passenger compartments – Part 1: Test for particulate filtration, Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., https://doi.org/10.31030/9703800, 2006.
Dons, E., Temmerman, P., Van Poppel, M., Bellemans, T., Wets, G., and Int Panis, L.: Street characteristics and traffic factors determining road users' exposure to black carbon, Sci. Total Environ., 447, 72–79, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.12.076, 2013.
European Commission: Commission Implementing Decision laying down rules for Directives 2004/107/EC and 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the reciprocal exchange of information and reporting on ambient air (Decision 2011/850/EU), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2011/850/oj/ (last access: 5 November 2026), 2013.
European Environment Agency: Air pollution in Europe: 2024 reporting status under the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive, https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/national-emission-reduction-commitments-directive-2024 (last access: 27 February 2025), 2024a.
European Environment Agency: Europe's air quality status, https://www.eea.europa.eu//publications/europes-air-quality-status-2024 (last access: 27 February 2025), 2024b.
Favez, O., Weber, S., Petit, J.-E., Alleman, L. Y., Albinet, A., Riffault, V., Chazeau, B., Amodeo, T., Salameh, D., Zhang, Y., Srivastava, D., Samaké, A., Aujay-Plouzeau, R., Papin, A., Bonnaire, N., Boullanger, C., Chatain, M., Chevrier, F., Detournay, A., Dominik-Sègue, M., Falhun, R., Garbin, C., Ghersi, V., Grignion, G., Levigoureux, G., Pontet, S., Rangognio, J., Zhang, S., Besombes, J.-L., Conil, S., Uzu, G., Savarino, J., Marchand, N., Gros, V., Marchand, C., Jaffrezo, J.-L., and Leoz-Garziandia, E.: Overview of the French Operational Network for In Situ Observation of PM Chemical Composition and Sources in Urban Environments (CARA Program), Atmosphere, 12, 207, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020207, 2021.
Fruin, S. A., Hudda, N., Sioutas, C., and Delfino, R. J.: Predictive Model for Vehicle Air Exchange Rates Based on a Large, Representative Sample, Environ. Sci. Technol., 45, 3569–3575, https://doi.org/10.1021/es103897u, 2011.
Gan, W. Q., Koehoorn, M., Davies, H. W., Demers, P. A., Tamburic, L., and Brauer, M.: Long-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Hospitalization and Mortality, Environ. Health Perspect., 119, 501–507, https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1002511, 2011.
Greenwald, R., Bergin, M. H., Yip, F., Boehmer, T., Kewada, P., Shafer, M. M., Schauer, J. J., and Sarnat, J. A.: On-Roadway In-Cabin Exposure to Particulate Matter: Measurement Results Using Both Continuous and Time-Integrated Sampling Approaches, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 48, 664–675, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2014.912745, 2014.
Grossmith, A., Le Bihan, O., Gouriou, F., Reynaud, M., Aujay, R., and Godet, Y.: Caractérisation de l'exposition en habitacle automobile, Rapport d'étude no. 66354, INERIS, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France, 2005.
GRPE-70-09-Rev.1: IWG on VIAQ: Informal document, Terms of reference and rules of procedure for the Informal Working Group on Vehicle Interior Air Quality (VIAQ), GRPE-70-09-Rev.1, UNECE, https://unece.org/70th-session-4 (last access: 28 October 2026), 2015.
GRPE-81-09: Informal document, Terms of reference and rules of procedure for the Informal Working Group on Vehicle Interior Air Quality – Third stage, UNECE, https://unece.org/81st-session-4 (last access: 28 October 2026), 2020.
Harik, G., El-Fadel, M., Shihadeh, A., Alameddine, I., and Hatzopoulou, M.: Is in-cabin exposure to carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter amplified by the vehicle's self-pollution potential? Quantifying the rate of exhaust intrusion, Transp. Res. Part Transp. Environ., 54, 225–238, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2017.05.009, 2017.
He, X., Brem, B. T., Bahk, Y. K., Kuo, Y.-Y., and Wang, J.: Effects of relative humidity and particle type on the performance and service life of automobile cabin air filters, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 50, 542–554, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2016.1167832, 2016.
Heo, K. J., Noh, J. W., Lee, B. U., Kim, Y., and Jung, J. H.: Comparison of filtration performance of commercially available automotive cabin air filters against various airborne pollutants, Build. Environ., 161, 106272, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106272, 2019.
Heo, K. J., Noh, J. W., Kim, Y., and Jung, J. H.: Comparison of the service life of an automotive cabin air filter under dust loading conditions of the laboratory environment and on-road driving, J. Aerosol Sci., 162, 105972, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.105972, 2022.
Heo, N.-G., Lim, J.-H., Lee, J.-W., Lee, J.-S., Yook, S.-J., and Ahn, K.-H.: Development of a Sampling Probe for Representative Sampling of PM at Freestream Velocities in the Range from 0 to 300 km h−1, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 35, 727–738, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-17-0158.1, 2018.
Hinds, W. C.: Physical and Chemical Processes in Aerosol Systems, in: Aerosol Measurement, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 31–40, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118001684.ch3, 2011.
Hou, C., Shao, L., Hu, W., Zhang, D., Zhao, C., Xing, J., Huang, X., and Hu, M.: Characteristics and aging of traffic-derived particles in a highway tunnel at a coastal city in southern China, Sci. Total Environ., 619–620, 1385–1393, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.165, 2018.
ISO 12103-1: Road vehicles – Test contaminants for filter evaluation – Part 1: Arizona test dust, International Organization for Standardization, https://www.iso.org/standard/85949.html? (last access: 5 November 2026), 2016.
ISO/TS 11155-1: Road vehicles – Air filters for passenger compartments – Part 1: Test for particulate filtration, International Organization for Standardization, https://www.iso.org/standard/34308.html? (last access: 5 November 2026), 2001.
Kam, W., Liacos, J. W., Schauer, J. J., Delfino, R. J., and Sioutas, C.: Size-segregated composition of particulate matter (PM) in major roadways and surface streets, Atmos. Environ., 55, 90–97, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.03.028, 2012.
Knibbs, L. D., De Dear, R. J., and Morawska, L.: Effect of Cabin Ventilation Rate on Ultrafine Particle Exposure Inside Automobiles, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44, 3546–3551, https://doi.org/10.1021/es9038209, 2010.
Kumar, P., Patton, A. P., Durant, J. L., and Frey, H. C.: A review of factors impacting exposure to PM2.5, ultrafine particles and black carbon in Asian transport microenvironments, Atmos. Environ., 187, 301–316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.05.046, 2018.
Lee, E. S. and Zhu, Y.: Application of a High-Efficiency Cabin Air Filter for Simultaneous Mitigation of Ultrafine Particle and Carbon Dioxide Exposures Inside Passenger Vehicles, Environ. Sci. Technol., 48, 2328–2335, https://doi.org/10.1021/es404952q, 2014.
Lee, E. S., Stenstrom, M. K., and Zhu, Y.: Ultrafine particle infiltration into passenger vehicles. Part II: Model analysis, Transp. Res. Part Transp. Environ., 38, 144–155, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2014.11.005, 2015.
Lim, T. H., Yeo, S. Y., and Lee, S. H.: Multidirectional evaluations of a carbon air filter to verify their lifespan and various performances, J. Aerosol Sci., 126, 205–216, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2018.09.009, 2018.
Liu, S. S., Wang, R., and Xiao, H. X.: Design and Compare of the Three Cabin Air Fiber Filter Testing Methods for Removal of PM2.5, Adv. Mater. Res., 197–198, 1515–1519, https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.197-198.1515, 2011.
NF EN 12341: Ambient air – Standard gravimetric measurement method for the determination of the PM10 or PM2,5 mass concentration of suspended particulate matter, ICS: 13.040.20, AFNOR, Association française de normalisation, https://www.boutique.afnor.org/fr-fr/norme/nf-en-12341/fa186364/351830? (last access: 5 November 2026), 2023.
Qi, C., Stanley, N., Pui, D. Y. H., and Kuehn, T. H.: Laboratory and On-Road Evaluations of Cabin Air Filters Using Number and Surface Area Concentration Monitors, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42, 4128–4132, https://doi.org/10.1021/es703216c, 2008.
R'mili, B., Le Bihan, O. L. C., Dutouquet, C., Aguerre-Charriol, O., and Frejafon, E.: Particle Sampling by TEM Grid Filtration, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 47, 767–775, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2013.789478, 2013.
Robert, B., Ana, S., Adina, B. B., and Corneliu, B. B.: Comparative study of filtration parameters depending on the nature of the filter material, Mater. Today Proc., 78, 343–347, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.02.124, 2023.
Shim, E., Noh, J., and Kim, Y.: Development and Performance Evaluation of Polytetrafluoroethylene-Membrane-Based Automotive Cabin Air Filter, ACS Omega, 7, 43738–43746, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c04758, 2022.
Shirmohammadi, F., Wang, D., Hasheminassab, S., Verma, V., Schauer, J. J., Shafer, M. M., and Sioutas, C.: Oxidative potential of on-road fine particulate matter (PM2.5) measured on major freeways of Los Angeles, CA, and a 10-year comparison with earlier roadside studies, Atmos. Environ., 148, 102–114, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.10.042, 2017.
Sinharay, R., Gong, J., Barratt, B., Ohman-Strickland, P., Ernst, S., Kelly, F. J., Zhang, J., Collins, P., Cullinan, P., and Chung, K. F.: Respiratory and cardiovascular responses to walking down a traffic-polluted road compared with walking in a traffic-free area in participants aged 60 years and older with chronic lung or heart disease and age-matched healthy controls: a randomised, crossover study, Lancet Br. Ed., 391, 339–349, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32643-0, 2018.
von der Weiden, S.-L., Drewnick, F., and Borrmann, S.: Particle Loss Calculator – a new software tool for the assessment of the performance of aerosol inlet systems, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 2, 479–494, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2-479-2009, 2009.
Wang, C., Liu, J., He, M., Xu, J., and Liao, H.: Investigating the filtration performance and service life of vehicle cabin air filters in China, Environ. Int., 190, 108939, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2024.108939, 2024.
Wei, D., Nielsen, F., Ekberg, L., Löfvendahl, A., Bernander, M., and Dalenbäck, J.-O.: PM2.5 and ultrafine particles in passenger car cabins in Sweden and northern China – the influence of filter age and pre-ionization, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res., 27, 30815–30830, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09214-0, 2020.
Xing, J., Shao, L., Zhang, W., Peng, J., Wang, W., Hou, C., Shuai, S., Hu, M., and Zhang, D.: Morphology and composition of particles emitted from a port fuel injection gasoline vehicle under real-world driving test cycles, J. Environ. Sci., 76, 339–348, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2018.05.026, 2019.
Xu, B., Liu, S., and Zhu, Y.: Ultrafine particle penetration through idealized vehicle cracks, J. Aerosol Sci., 41, 859–868, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2010.05.005, 2010.
Xu, B., Liu, S., Liu, J., and Zhu, Y.: Effects of Vehicle Cabin Filter Efficiency on Ultrafine Particle Concentration Ratios Measured In-Cabin and On-Roadway, Aerosol Sci. Tech., 45, 234–243, https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2010.531792, 2011.
Xu, B., Chen, X., and Xiong, J.: Air quality inside motor vehicles' cabins: A review, Indoor Built Environ., 27, 452–465, https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X16679217, 2018.
Yin, C., Li, H., Cha, Y., Zhang, S., Du, J., Li, Z., and Ye, W.: Characterizing in-cabin air quality and vehicular air filtering performance for passenger cars in China, Environ. Pollut., 318, 120884, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120884, 2023.
Zareba, M., Weglinska, E., and Danek, T.: Air pollution seasons in urban moderate climate areas through big data analytics, Sci. Rep., 14, 3058, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52733-w, 2024.
Zhang, C. L., Maccarone, J. R., Grady, S. T., Collins, C. M., Moy, M. L., Hart, J. E., Kang, C.-M., Coull, B. A., Schwartz, J. D., Koutrakis, P., and Garshick, E.: Indoor and ambient black carbon and fine particulate matter associations with blood biomarkers in COPD patients, Sci. Total Environ., 927, 171897, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171897, 2024.
Short summary
Currently, the performance of automotive cabin filtration systems is assessed in laboratories, but this does not take into account all real-world parameters, such as weather conditions. To complement these studies, we evaluated the performance of two cabin filters in a moving SUV (sport utility vehicle) in Paris. This protocol was applied to two different filters, revealing differences in their filtration performance. This protocol could help researchers to understand the mechanisms of aerosol filtration in cars.
Currently, the performance of automotive cabin filtration systems is assessed in laboratories,...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint