The first in-car measurements taken of exposure to pollutants that can cause oxidative stress during rush-hour traffic commutes has come up with some worrying results. The levels of harmful particulate matter inside car cabins have been found to be as twice as high as previously was believed.

To explore what drivers are exposed to during rush hour traffic, researchers put specially designed devices onto the passengers car seat during morning commutes in Atlanta, USA.

The team discovered that the pollution contained twice the amount of chemicals that cause oxidative stress which is believed to enhance the development of many diseases.

What types of pollution cause the biggest concern and what makes them so dangerous is still being debated, however more needs to be to improve air quality as well as urban travel planning.

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