Cabin Air Quality/ Allergy/ Asthma

There are a lot of plastics in the interior of the Prius, and like all new plastics/glues/fabrics/carpeting, there will be outgasing. Maybe you could leave your windows open as much as possible to air the car out?

 

It could be many things, but I highly recommend you check the air filter in your car. It might not hurt to buy an air cleaner for the office, too.

 

Maybe try changing the cabin air filter. Beyond that I do not know .

 

So you only have problems when you're at the office and in the car? Not at home or anywhere else? Do you have the symptoms in the car regardless of where you drive (city vs. rural for example)?

If your problems at work were caused by exposure to something in the car, I would think the symptoms would not last all day long, but instead would taper off once you had been at the office for a while. Also you would have symptoms at home after leaving work, and anywhere else you went after being in the car.

FWIW, I have asthma, and various relatives have allergies and asthma also, and so far no one has had any problems while riding in my car. But then everyone has different triggers, so you never know.

 

IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) issues are popping up frequently now. A lot of that has to do with higher energy costs, so many commercial buildings will skimp on maintenance and air circulation

As an example of maintenance: The ductwork in a +20 year old building can be FILTHY. Even dead rodents and birds, just disgusting, in addition to the usual dust

Many commercial office buildings use the suspended ceiling space as a "return air" system. The fire proofing sprayed on the steel trusses, the dust, and the ceiling tiles, all contribute to bad air quality. Most ceiling tiles are a cellulose product, combine with moisture = nasty molds

The air conditioning used in commercial spaces is rarely cleaned. The evaporator coils can be FILTHY with dirt, mold, etc. Around 6 years ago the office suites we were renting had the e-coils finally cleaned, apparently the first time in over 15 years.

Back then, smoking was allowed in the building. The e-coils were completely PLUGGED with dirt, a yellowish substance (From the smoking I'd guess), and black mold in the drain pans.

Keep in mind the building owner had scheduled the e-coil cleaning to improve energy efficiency. They couldn't give one rats a** about your health!

There are some good articles on building IAQ and the impact of IAQ on health:

http://ftp.nucalgon.com/ftp/prodlit/3-102.pdf

I personally use the Nu Calgon EvapFresh and BioFresh on my home e-coils.

Cars can also experience IAQ issues. Remember the Prius uses a variable speed electric A/C compressor, so the compressor will run more than a standard car with a clutch compressor. That works great for dehumidification, but can also result in mold growth in the e-coil and drain system

I had an IAQ issue last summer at my hobby farm. I hadn't cleaned the e-coil in 2 years. We had record setting heat and high humidity

I have a Bryant Evolution system. The furnace is a variable speed air handler, combined with the Bryant high efficiency e-coil. The outdoor compressor is a high efficiency Bryant Evolution 2 speed unit.

The system is designed to provide high efficiency dehumidification without needing to freeze inside the house. I can program the Evolution control to cool at 76 degrees F, with priority dehumidification set at 45%

I have a remote dial-in for the system, so I can program it to heat up or cool down before I drive out to the hobby farm. I drove out with the temps around 96 F and humidity 80%. Opened the door and PEEEE-UUUUUU, gawd what a stench

I spoke with the Bryant dealer and - knowing I had the industrial background - sold me a gallon of BioFresh and a gallon of EvapFresh. Next trip out, I drenched the e-coil with EvapFresh. I had to repeat, but that cured the stinky A/C

I should note that in my case, the e-coil looked spotless. The stinky stuff is apparently invisible to the naked eye

For your Prius, I would immediately change the HVAC filter. If the problem persists, have your home e-coil cleaned. You may also need to have the Prius e-coil disinfected

 

I also suggest changing the cabin air filter. However, if you ride with the windows down, or cracked open a bit, you should be getting plenty of fresh air.

I have asthma, as well as other allergies. Your symptoms could be a reaction to a) the fabric in the car, b) the outgasing from plastics, c)allergins in the air seasonally, d) anything else is possible. for me it is certain soaps, dog dander (I have 3 dogs, 2 on the couch with me now!), cat dander, dust, pine trees, grass, green peas, and the list goes on and on and on.............

If it is really a problem, visit a doctor. There are inhalers on the market that could help. Even Zyrtec is now over the counter. You can't stop breathing, and if its not the Prius, you may be able to determine what it is.

good luck.

a fellow allergy and asthma sufferer.

 

"She who must be obeyed" is alergic to tons of things. Alergins, dust mites & mold do accumulate in the cab air filter. We buy THIS stuff from the UK (because it isn't sold in the U.S. directly) It's designed to wipe out all that junk. Lasts for 6 months ... about the life of the air filter.

 

I too would think of changing the cabin air filter. Also there may be an increase in pollens and molds locally in your area. Go to this free site and get daily updates and see if you can correlate your symptoms to the pollens that are in the air in your town.

[email protected]

Good luck!

 

Once again I had to get on all fours and kiss the carpet, thankful that I am happily single!

Oi!

 

Hmmm, my husband refers to me as "the boss".

 

Perhaps, but in every great relationship, the rewards are beyond the price

 

I just bought a 2012 used Prius and the dealership accidently sprayed the interior of the car with spray wax. I had an allergic reaction the same night I bought it, it has calmed down but after 30 minutes of driving it my chest tightens and I get headaches and I get a metal taste in my mouth. Its been 2 weeks and the symptoms continue but not as bad as when I first drove the car home. My question is will the chemicals dissipate eventually? or will I always have this reaction? I do not know if I should have the dealer give me a rental for 2-4 weeks to let the car chemicals dissipate or just exchange for another car. I have never had an allergic reaction to anything before and I am 45 years old. I went to urgent care and they said I was having classic allergen reaction to something. They gave me steroids and zyrtec for 3 days. It helped but I do not want to be on "meds" to drive a car.

I have shampooed the carpet twice, Ionized the cabin, aired it out, vinegar in a bowl over night. Charcoal, baking soda, had the vents chemically cleaned, changed the air filter to a carbon filter. The chemical smell is gone but I guess the molecules are still in the car. The only other thing that is different this car has rubber mats and I usually only had carpeted mats prior. Does rubber absorb chemicals?