Re: E.L. Foust 160AN Car Filter and Carbon Saturation

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed,

Thanks for your advice.

Do you think a good carbon filter (like the Foust 160 AN Auto) in a car runs the risk of re-polluting the vehicle because of the constant re-introduction of pollutants?

If so, how often would I need to change it to avoid this problem?

Thanks for your help....

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

The interior of a vehicle is the most toxic space normal people inhabit. Even a partially saturated adsorbent package is better than nothing.

But with the change-it-yourself Foust system, you'll only pay about $18 (a guess) to refill the carbon.

After the first time it will be a snap. So change it after 90 days and every six months after that.

Car interiors range from life threatening ( for the immunocompromised and cancer victims) to just noxious (healthy young people).

This varies by model, highway environment, and maintenance level.

Make sure that your car is not killing you with leaking fluids or exhaust.

I had a 4x4 pickup, bought new in 1991, that was barrels of fun. But it developed a chronic oil leak around the rocker arm cover. Oil leaked slowly onto the exhaust manifold where it vaporized, allowing fumes to enter the cab through a hole I left unplugged.

New cars vary widely in VOC emissions, with some manufacturers still very toxic. Car interiors are often subject to chemical applications by dealers and prior owners.

Cars need a car cabin air filter, found today in a few luxury models, to prevent highway air, the worst, from entering the cab unfiltered.

See the whole section on car interior air quality on my sitemap.

The cardinal rule in indoor air quality is "remove the source rather than rely solely on an air cleaner."

While we do not control the roadway, we can improve car air considerably.

I have driven over 2,000,000 miles, (16 years as a professional driver, every interstate in America, lots of Canada) and I can feel the air quality fall and rise again as I transit a big city. My wife and sons live in Houston. I prefer to stay in the country as much as possible.

When in Houston. I avoid heavy traffic.

Best luck with the car,

Ed