Take a Deep Breath – Thanks to Pollen Filters in Every New Opel

• Hay fever relief: activated carbon filters in Opel models
• Top quality: filters meet the highest requirements
• Something in the air: alder, hazel, ash and birch approaching
• Survival tips: correct behaviour in the pollen season

As the temperature rises, people with hay fever start to suffer. Those traveling in an Opel automobile can count themselves lucky. Since 2000, all Opel cars are equipped as standard with various filter systems – either original Opel particle or activated carbon filters. Tradition-rich German carmaker installs mainly activated carbon combination filters. These consist of two layers and can therefore not only keep particles out the interior, but also filter out gases such as ozone and odours, thanks to the activated carbon. Best of all, pollen is almost 100 per cent eliminated, so that buyers of both new and used Opel cars can breathe deeply while driving.

"Quality of the activated carbon combination filter surpasses the market standards in numerous areas and in some cases even meets requirements for fine particulate filters," says Product Manager, Sandra Schmickler. Filter material is water-repellent, which prevents it from freezing in winter or becoming home to bacteria. Despite the high filter performance, a good air permeability is ensured. The filter should be changed once a year.

In many cases, the activated carbon combination filter can also be retrofitted – even to older Opel models such as the Calibra or the Vectra C. Retrofitting can be a bit tricky and is therefore best carried out by an Opel dealer.

Correct behaviour in the pollen season

"In general, with high pollen concentration, you should only drive a car with the windows closed," recommends Opel’s chief medical officer, Dr. Anne-Marie Albuszies. This also benefits road safety – if drivers have to sneeze more often, risk of accidents increases. It is best to get advice beforehand about the current pollen forecast, for example, from the local weather service. "In the coming weeks, the hazel allergies will start, as well as ash and birch," explains Dr. Albuszies. Over the summer, grass becomes the problem. Hay fever can plague allergy sufferers March through October.

Motorists should also definitely refrain from medication, because the so-called antihistamines make you drowsy. Clothes should be taken off in the bathroom, not in the bedroom, adds the physician, and hair washed in the evening so that pollen does not get on the pillow. A rinse with sodium chloride in the morning and evening calms an irritated nose and a damp cloth over the eyes soothes the itching.