Breathing inside a car

Humberto

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Which would you say is less unhealthful:

  1. Having the air inside the car recirculate. That way you don't breathe exhaust fumes and heavy metal fumes from outside, but over time, the oxygen levels in the car become less.
  2. Having fresh air from outside blow into the car. That way you breathe oxygen rich air that is polluted with exhaust fumes and heavy metal fumes.
 

bwana

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I know during hayfever season I head for the car - it's got some serious HEPA(sp?) filters that really help.
 

Segg

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Definitely 2, that oxygen has some kuk with it :sick:
 

Humberto

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Do you mean which one is healthier?

Sort of, yes. I said "less unhealthful" because:

  1. I didn't want to say "more healthful" because that would imply both are healthful, the one more so than the other.
  2. Technically breathing good air is heathful rather than healthy.

But in retrospect it seems more confusing.
 

Pho3nix

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It is. Why didn't you just say which air is healthier :erm:

A by the way, car has filters to prevent crap air from coming in. Air-Con will keep the fresh air coming
 

Captain Beer

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I usually have mine on recirculate, just more efficient. I open the window every half hour or so to let the stinky out.
 

SauRoNZA

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There is no such word as unhealthful.

It's either healthy or less healthy or not healthy.


As for your question lack of oxygen to the brain might do more damage than any potential toxic gases. I've been riding motorcycles for ten years in traffic where there's no filter and no aircon and I'm still here.

Most new cars have a filter attached to the air conditioning system, however whether these ever get replaced is another story.

Also although recirculating keeps the evil out, it also keeps the evil in. Much like people falsely believe its the cold/wet weather that makes you sick, it's actually human nature of incubating ourselves inside our houses during winter that makes us sick, not the weather itself.

You'll be healthier outside your house/office in winter, than inside it.
 
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kripstoe

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There is no such word as unhealthful.

It's either healthy or less healthy or not healthy.


As for your question lack of oxygen to the brain might do more damage than any potential toxic gases. I've been riding motorcycles for ten years in traffic where there's no filter and no aircon and I'm still here.

Most new cars have a filter attached to the air conditioning system, however whether these ever get replaced is another story.

Also although recirculating keeps the evil out, it also keeps the evil in. Much like people falsely believe its the cold/wet weather that makes you sick, it's actually human nature of incubating ourselves inside our houses during winter that makes us sick, not the weather itself.

You'll be healthier outside your house/office in winter, than inside it.

Probably the most accurate post so far.
 

Humberto

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Even with the filters though, I can smell exhaust fumes from trucks when driving behind them, so how good are these filters at filtering toxic chemicals?

There is a word such as unhealthful:

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/unhealthful

Something that is conducive to good health is healthful. A living being that is in good physical condition is healthy.
 

HapticSimian

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There is no such word as unhealthful.

It's either healthy or less healthy or not healthy.

...

un·health·ful [uhn-helth-fuhl]
adjective
not conducive to good health; unwholesome: unhealthful food.
Origin:
1570–80; un-1 + healthful

:whistling:

Can't say I've ever seen it used but it is, indeed, a word. As to the question: it might be imagined - I've not done any research - but I'm quite sure I can feel myself getting slightly drowsy within an hour or so of the recirculate function being switched on. With the luxury of climate control I just let the car manage it though.
 

Friedpet

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1. You can breathe a couple of hours before the oxygen levels drops 'unhealthful' low.
And in anycase, I'd rather be a little hypoxic than die from all those toxins :sick:
 
P

Picard

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Which would you say is less unhealthful:

  1. Having the air inside the car recirculate. That way you don't breathe exhaust fumes and heavy metal fumes from outside, but over time, the oxygen levels in the car become less.
  2. Having fresh air from outside blow into the car. That way you breathe oxygen rich air that is polluted with exhaust fumes and heavy metal fumes.

Do you live in Witbank by any chance?
 
P

Picard

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I know during hayfever season I head for the car - it's got some serious HEPA(sp?) filters that really help.

Wow ... you must drive a seriously nice car ... or I've fallen behind the times regarding modern car tech.

My Samsung vacuum cleaner has got a HEPA filter ...
 
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