Vehicle interior material emissions and contributions in passenger vehicle cabin air quality

Polymer compounds used in the manufacturing of automotive interiors are formulated with various kind of additives, pigments, fillers, and resins. These compounded polymers are prone to the emission of chemicals called volatile organic compound (VOC) over a period of usage, temperature exposure etc. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short term adverse health effects like nausea, headache, vomiting, and long-term adverse health effects like cancer, even death if beyond the permissible limits. Studies indicates the concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher in indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors and hence these chemical emissions are required to be controlled within the defined limits. This paper is focused on the identification part and material, evaluation against the recommended test (Odor/Fogging/VOC/Carbonyl compound emissions) and development of materials used inside the car cabin. This study further provides the guidelines for the chemical compound emission limits.