Ford is now offering with its vehicles an upgraded filter that could provide much-needed relief to hay fever and allergy sufferers.
The Ford Micronair Protect Filter, developed by filtration expert Freudenberg, is highly effective in capturing a wide range of harmful germs, allergens and even viruses that can cause significant health problems.
The enhanced system uses carbon and a special active layer made from a secret recipe including citric acid as found in lemons. This provides protection against unwanted bacteria, yeast and fungi, as well as offering antiviral properties.
Ford's European customer service vice president, Nigel Brackenbury, says allergies to pollen and dust can cause great discomfort, as well as serious health problems, for many drivers and their passengers.
“This filter is a low-cost, but effective measure that could protect the health and provide greater comfort for anyone travelling in a Ford vehicle,” he says.
How it works
The Ford Micronair Protect Filter is capable of trapping particles as small as 0.05 microns – less than one thousandth the thickness of a human hair. When fitted to the vehicle’s ventilation system this can dilute the concentration of harmful particles entering the cabin and remove droplets containing viruses as quickly as possible, reducing the chance of further contamination and infection.
The filter features an activated carbon element that is designed to offer additional protection against harmful pollution such as particulates and acid gases, and a multi-layer microfibre barrier that traps smaller particles, dust and pollen. It is also possible for the filter to address threats inside the car – proving 99.9 per cent effective at inactivating viruses that come into contact with the special active layer. These include swine flu (H1N1 ) and HCov-229E.
Current conditions make it too dangerous to test the filter against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease, but Freudenberg expects it will achieve the same 99.9 per cent effectiveness.
Coronaviruses are spread in droplets produced when those affected sneeze, cough or breathe, and can remain infectious on surfaces for hours or even days. Wind disturbances, temperature changes and humidity can all cause these particles to become airborne again – at which point they can be picked up by the filter.
Ford dealerships can supply and fit the filter, which is available for Focus, Kuga, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy, and can now also be ordered for Fiesta, Puma and EcoSport, with Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier models to follow later
