Odors Change Mood While Driving

Odors Change Mood While Driving, Air Filters Help

"In our daily travels, we are affected by a number of smells – from excessive air pollution to local oil refineries, landfills and farms. The No. 1 odor people dislike most is the smell of fish, which we often experience when driving near waterfronts," said Alan Hirsch, M.D., a neurologist and psychiatrist at the Smell & Taste Research and Treatment Foundation in Chicago.

"My studies suggest that ambient odors are more than unpleasant, they can produce various negative effects on behavior and physical health. Smells can affect mood faster than any other sense. They can be distracting, especially while driving," continued Hirsch.

Odors and airborne particles can enter the passenger compartment through the vehicle’s ventilation system causing air inside the car to be even more polluted than the air outside of the car.

Hirsch says one way for drivers to help improve air quality in the passenger compartment is by installing a cabin air filter with an odor neutralizer to avoid distractions caused by upleasant odors.

By 2012, more than 100 million vehicles will have a cabin air filter and they need to be replaced just like an oil filter does.

The FRAM Fresh Breeze cabin air filter was designed to absorb odors from the air that passes through the filter with carbon and Arm & Hammer baking soda. The filter also removes 98 percent of pollen particles and road dust that pass through the filter. FRAM recommends changing the cabin air filter once every 15,000 miles.

FRAM features coverage for approximately 33 million vehicles on the road that come equipped with a cabin air filter, many of which can be installed in 15 minutes or less. Drivers can do it themselves with the simple step-by-step instructions provided or they can take it to their local repair shop.

"Preventing odors and airborne particles from entering the vehicle can help improve learning speed and concentration on the road," said Dr. Hirsch.