Breathe Easy in a Volvo
Tom Von Bonsdroff, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India & Andreas Andersson, Attribute Leader Environmental Impact, Volvo Cars |
Tom Von Bonsdroff, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India & Andreas Andersson, Attribute Leader Environmental Impact, Volvo Cars |
In an ongoing effort towards creating awareness about the same, Volvo Cars organized a panel discussion on the subject led by Andreas Andersson, Attribute Leader Environmental Impact, Volvo Cars along with Dr. Radha Goyal, Head, Research and Development Division, Indian Pollution Control Association and Dr. Gita Gangadharan, ENT surgeon, Max Super Specialty Hospital.
The automobile manufacturer demonstrated its CleanZone multi-filter that controls interior air quality and provides a better driving environment inside Volvo Cars. Introduced in the all new XC 90, it features a larger design that intercepts more particulates and pollen, as well as a layer of active charcoal that effectively removes a host of contaminants that can impact the health of drivers. According to a standardized component test, cars equipped with the new improved multi-filter have the ability to reduce the amount of “fine dust” particles smaller than 0,4 μm by as much as 70%, as compared to cars without the filter. It is a fact that dust particles smaller than 10 µm can cause a number of health problems, including difficulty breathing and lung infections.
Tom Von Bonsdroff, Dr. Radha Goyal, Dr. Gita Gangadharan and Andreas Andersson at The Pollution Solution |
Andreas Andersson, Attribute Leader Environmental Impact, Volvo Cars at The Pollution Solution |
Tom Von Bonsdroff, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India said, “Up to 45 per cent of the industrialised world’s population is now suffering from some form of allergy or hypersensitivity. Over ten per cent has asthma. At Volvo, our commitment to safety goes well beyond safety belts and air bags. It’s about making sure that every minute you and your family spend in a Volvo is as safe as it can possibly be. That includes breathing.”
Andreas Andersson, Attribute Leader Environmental Impact, Volvo Cars, said, “All around the world consumers are becoming increasingly aware of how air quality can impact health, and are now demanding cleaner air inside their vehicles. With this increasing awareness, Volvo Cars has also implemented rigorous test programmes to monitor and control emissions. With its focus on health and well-being, CleanZone represents the spirit of Volvo Cars’ human-centric approach to its work.”
The filter is one element of Volvo’s state-of-the-art Interior Air Quality System (IAQS). Another element is a sensor that monitors the incoming air for noxious substances. If the level of harmful substances becomes too high (such as when driving through a tunnel), the car’s air intakes will automatically close. Together, the multi-filter and sensor keep out a number of harmful and irritating pollutants, including Nitrogen oxides, Hydrocarbons, Ground-level ozon, Gases and unpleasant odours.
While unlocking the car by remote control, the remote cabin ventilation system automatically vents out the interior air within one minute, getting rid of odours and emissions before drivers enter. The work to minimize interior emissions begins long before the cars are even built, with strict controls on the substances that may be used inside the cars.