Mercedes-Benz USA have become the first automobile manufacturer to achieve certification of their cabin air filters from the Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) following extensive testing at airmid healthgroup.
Increasing levels of air pollution, particularly in densely populated cities of the world, can be partly attributed to rising automotive and transportation emissions from the burgeoning numbers of vehicles on our roads. People in industrialised countries are estimated to spend over an hour a day in their cars. This can contribute substantially to their daily exposure to gaseous and particulate air pollutants. The passenger compartments of cars can act as confined spaces for exhaust fumes and particulate pollutants to accumulate. Vehicle occupants may also be exposed to allergenic pollen from roadside trees, grasses and weeds. Therefore, the provision of optimal air quality in the vehicles of people suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis is also an important factor to consider. Cabin air filters can be a solution to these issues by improving the air quality within vehicles for both drivers and passengers.
A series of studies conducted at airmid healthgroup’s facilities assessed the effectiveness of Mercedes-Benz cabin air filters at removing airborne allergens. Using our modified ASHRAE 52.2 test rig, we demonstrated the ability of these filters to remove three common allergens associated with pollen grains of different sizes, Birch tree (Bet v 1), Timothy grass (Phl p 5) and Ragweed (Amb a 1) allergens. We also assessed the initial and final efficiency of the filters at removing allergen-associated particles ranging in size from 3 μm to >10 μm, by loading the filter with allergen-containing test dust. This panel of test allergens was chosen to include representatives across the pollen season. In the US, tree pollen peaks in the Spring, grass pollen in the Summer/early Fall and weed pollen in the Fall. Finally, the cabin filters were subjected to a fiber shedding test in the test rig, and they were found to meet the requirements of the standard.
Related testing
http://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/services/climate-controlled-environmental-chamber-studies.html
https://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/air-cleaner-air-handling-devices.html
http://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/services/allergen-laboratory.html
About airmid healthgroup
airmid healthgroup helps clients with products and services related to the built environment to differentiate their customer offerings by providing scientific data to support health relevant marketing claims. Clients include Dyson, LG, Proctor & Gamble, Shaw Floors, 3M, Stanley Steemer, Ingersol Rand, Samsung, Tarkett, Panasonic and Philips. We create value for clients through a number of collaborative strategies, including field research projects, environmental test chamber studies and licensing our own intellectual property. We specialise in studying the relationship between allergens, viruses, bacteria, moulds or other ultra-fine particles in the air and on surfaces to the spread of illness and disease in buildings. As a leading authority on biomedical and aerobiology research, we use this knowledge to improve products and services to make the indoor environment as healthy as possible.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model lines ranging from the sporty CLA-Class four-door coupe to the flagship S-Class and the Mercedes-AMG GT R. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart products in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbsprinterusa.com and www.smartusa.com.