What Causes Car Air Conditioning to Irritate the Eyes?
3 Answers
Car air conditioning may irritate the eyes due to a dirty air filter, which fails to filter out impurities in the air. Below is a detailed introduction about car air filters: 1. Function: Ensures the filter fits tightly against the casing, preventing unfiltered air from entering the cabin. It separates solid impurities such as dust, pollen, and abrasive particles from the air. It also absorbs moisture, soot, ozone, odors, carbon oxides, SO2, CO2, etc., and has strong and lasting moisture absorption capabilities. 2. Maintenance: If the filter is dirty, clean it by blowing compressed air from the opposite side. Hold the air gun about 5 cm away from the filter and blow at a pressure of 500 kPa for approximately 2 minutes. The air filter is prone to accumulating dust, and blowing away loose dust with compressed air is sufficient.
I've encountered the situation of eye irritation when driving with the AC on several times. The root cause is often due to an unclean air conditioning system. For example, the evaporator tends to accumulate condensation and water that doesn't dry for a long time, leading to the growth of mold and bacteria. When the AC is turned on, it blows air contaminated with mold directly into the face, causing eye irritation, tearing, or discomfort. Additionally, if the cabin air filter isn't replaced regularly, accumulated dust gets blown out, or if the air intake is blocked by leaves and debris, the air becomes dirtier. Once, I found it was due to refrigerant leakage, which produced a chemical smell that stung the eyes, but that's relatively rare. The solution is simple: clean the AC system annually, preferably by a professional shop for disinfection; check the cabin air filter every one or two months to see if it needs replacement; and avoid directing the airflow straight at your face while driving. After such maintenance, eye discomfort becomes much less frequent.
The issue of car air conditioning causing eye irritation has led me to research some fundamental causes. Primarily, it's the evaporator section of the AC system. During the cooling process, moisture is generated, and if not dried promptly, mold can grow, releasing irritating particles during air circulation that directly affect eye health. Another possibility is uncleaned AC ducts or filters accumulating dust and bacteria, which can double the irritation when airflow is obstructed. In rare cases, refrigerant leakage may cause chemical components to come into contact with eyes or respiratory tracts. A tip I learned from a friend: regularly use a car-specific AC cleaner for simple sprays, check the filter every season for replacement, and ventilate by opening windows for two minutes before turning on the AC in hot weather to expel accumulated air. Following these preventive measures ensures a more comfortable driving experience.
