Allergy specialist warns vehicle AC filters can harbor mold, allergens

Allergy and immunology specialist Yelena Musayeva has warned that vehicle air-conditioning systems, while offering relief during summer months, can pose health risks when filters are not properly maintained. She said that dirty filters, humid evaporators and cold air ducts require regular cleaning, and that any smell of moisture, vinegar or mold from the system is a sign that the unit needs to be inspected immediately. Musayeva explained that the evaporator, the most sensitive part of a vehicle's heating and cooling system, collects condensation droplets. When combined with dust, leaf debris, pollen and dirt, that moisture can allow mold and other contaminants to spread into the cabin, she said. She also noted that dust mite debris and droppings can accumulate in filter dust and seat fabric, becoming airborne when the ventilation system is activated. Documents from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology identify four common mold species found in vehicle filters and evaporators: Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Musayeva cautioned that long-neglected, faulty or low-quality filters can also carry plant pollen into the cabin.