Abstract
Semivolatile organic compounds, which encompass many types of phthalic- and phosphorus-acid esters, exist in many automotive parts as the constituents of plasticizers and flame resistant materials. It also has high exposure amount, causing concern for potential health hazard to the vehicle occupants. There have been, however, only few reports regarding SVOCs inside automotive cabins. We, therefore, have carried out an experimental measurement to gain the amounts of such SVOCs in cabin, for the purpose of studying proper SVOC measuring conditions. At the same time, we measured the amounts of various fine particles present in the atmosphere of the cabin, since these particles are reported that SVOCs stick to such fine particles that become the nuclei.
Specifically, the study of the evaluation method was conducted by collecting the atmosphere in the cabin of a new vehicle on glass plates, trapping on Tenax tubes, and extracting the particles using solvents.
Furthermore, amount of various fine particles present in the atmosphere of the cabin was measured, since SVOCs in cabin are predicted that they do not exist by themselves but have fine particles as their nuclei. This paper reports the findings of such research and measurement.