Volvo Cars’
Interior Air Quality Testing Team are trained to keep a watchful eye out for
the things we can’t see in the air around us. It’s thanks to them that stepping
into your Volvo always feels like a breath of fresh air.
KENNETH ANDERSON
1/3
Integrating
the elements
Take a
moment and picture the elements that make up the interior of your Volvo. What
do you see? Seats, dashboard, floor mats, cup holders, glove compartment,
buttons – the list is pretty extensive. Each of these individual elements have
been specifically designed to integrate and work together for your benefit. But
what about the materials they’re made from – who is responsible for ensuring
they work together and that they benefit you? The answer is people like Annelie
Synnerdahl and Hanna Sundqvist.
Annelie and
Hanna have been working as Analysis Engineers at Volvo Cars for a combined
total of 47 years. So it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about the inner
workings of the air in your Volvo. Together, they are responsible for analysing
interior materials in Volvo cars to make sure they are – and remain – free from
harmful emissions and odours. But how do they do this and what does a normal
day look like for them as they try to create the cleanest in-car environment
possible?
"We
have so many different test activities going on all the time that there’s no
such thing as a ‘normal day’,” says Annelie.
When it
comes to testing, both Annelie and Hanna are involved every step of the way –
from the earliest development stages through to the moment a car is certified
‘clean’ and ready to go out on the road.
“We test
everything,” explains Hanna, “From tiny fragments and small parts like cup
holders, seals or buttons to larger, more complex parts such as consoles and
floor mats. We also carry out complete car testing in sun simulation test cells
and, occasionally, out on the road.” But regardless of the nature of the
testing, their work is only done when they are fully satisfied that the air in
the cabin is clean.
Volvo Cars’
Interior Air Quality Testing Team
Where
science meets the senses
To help
them test for harmful substances, Annelie and Hanna combine their own expert
knowledge and highly developed sense of smell with the analysis equipment in the
lab. “When we test floor mats, for example, we place the entire mat in an
emission chamber and heat it to a temperature of 65°C,” explains Hanna.
Emission chambers are used in their work to detect and determine the
concentration of unwanted substances in materials. “After a set amount of time,
we take a sample of air from the chamber. If any volatile substances are
detected, they are collected and taken to the chemical laboratory for further
testing.” It’s an intricate, on-going process that demands a lot of patience
and a keen attention to detail.
But what
exactly are Annelie and Hanna looking for and how do they differentiate the
hazardous from the harmless? “Some substances are known to be particularly
hazardous. So, obviously, we don’t want any traces of these in our cars at
all,” says Hanna. “Others substances are relatively harmless, but they can
still cause headaches or dizziness if people are exposed to high concentrations
over time. This is why we make sure the concentration levels are always well
below any requirements.” Keeping up-to-date with the latest rules and
regulations regarding emission levels – both worldwide standards and Volvo
Cars’ own strict requirements – is another important part of the job.
Improving
the view
When it
comes to driving safely, one of the most important things your Volvo can give
you is a clear view of the car’s surroundings and, especially, the road ahead.
This is something Annelie and Hanna keep in mind in their testing. So, to help
ensure your view from your Volvo remains unobstructed, they carry out extensive
testing for what they call “fogging”.
“Fogging is
where certain materials in the car’s interior react with heat – primarily
sunshine – and give off substances that form condensation on the windows,”
explains Annelie. But while fogging can lead to reduced visibility, it can also
indicate other hidden dangers. “Fogging on the windscreen is also a sign that
there are substances in the air that might not be very healthy to breathe,”
explains Annelie. “There are actually some commonly used phthalates (substances
added to plastics to increase their flexibility, durability and longevity) that
are very unhealthy. These phthalates are not allowed to be used in Volvo
components.”
AKA the
Smell Team
As well as
detecting harmful substances, Annelie and Hanna are also experts at identifying
unpleasant or unnecessary odours. And it’s their expertise in this area that
has earned them the affectionate nickname of the Smell Team. “After a while you
learn to recognise the smell of certain materials like carpets, rubber and
leather – you even begin to recognise the smell of certain chemicals!” says
Hanna.
The
presence of a smell, however, doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a health risk.
“Some strong smelling substances are harmless, while some extremely poisonous
substances are completely odourless,” explains Annelie. “If a material does
smell badly, it’s interesting to try and discover which substance is causing
the odour.” But who decides if a smell is good or bad? “Smell is subjective,”
says Hanna. “Therefore, some odour is acceptable. However, it should never
distract the driver or have a negative effect on the overall driving
experience.”
We often
hear how different smells can alter our mood and affect the way we perceive
things. As experts, what are Annelie and Hanna’s thoughts on this? “I’m totally
convinced that odour strongly influences your wellbeing wherever you are - not
just inside a car,” says Annelie. “Associations, expectations, even your mood
on a particular day can be influenced by a certain smell. This is why it is so
important that the quality of the air inside matches the overall quality of our
cars.”
Fixing the
problem
As you can
imagine when working with such an important and sensitive area, the levels of
quality control adhered to by the Interior Air Quality Testing Team are very
high indeed. So what happens when a product doesn’t match up to Volvo Cars’
strict requirements? “Sometimes it’s possible to change materials or the
manufacturing process to help lower the emissions, but sometimes you have to
completely change the design solution. Then, the testing begins all over
again.”
It may
sound like a lot of hard work but both Annalie and Hanna agree it’s rewarding
work – especially when their input influences a concept or helps guide a
project in an exciting new direction.
What does
the future hold?
As
pollution levels rise across the globe, the work carried out by experts like
Volvo Cars’ Interior Air Quality Team is only going to become more important
and their knowledge more valuable. So what do they think the future holds when
it comes to the air quality in our cars?
“We believe
we’ll see more recycled and low-weight materials. Our focus, however, is
ensuring only the best materials are used in the interior of Volvo cars."
So the next
time you step into your car, take a moment, take a deep breath and enjoy one of
life’s invisible luxuries – clean, fresh air.
Source: Volvo Cars.
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