Factors affecting in-vehicle exposure to traffic-related air pollutants: A review

The aims of this review are: analyse the in-vehicle exposure determinants to traffic-related air pollutants (TRAPs); identify the lack of information in this field, providing suggestions for future surveys; discuss the applicability of innovative solutions for the reduction of in-vehicle exposure to TRAPs. Results: outlined that route, traffic and time-related variables are closely related to each other and mainly affect the in-cabin black carbon, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and ultrafine particles exposure levels. Selfpollution plays an important role in defining the in-vehicle exposure especially to volatile organic compounds. Ventilation settings resulted to be the main determinants of in-vehicle exposure to TRAPs. One of the gaps of knowledge identified concerns the impact of leading vehicles on in-cabin TRAPs concentrations. The study of in-cabin exposure determinant factors is useful to implement effective measures to mitigate high exposures inside vehicles: the most promising seems to be the development of responsive ventilation systems.