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A Breath of Fresh Air for Volvo Employees

14 September 2004

As an environmentally responsible car company, Volvo Car UK constantly aims to make a contribution to improving air quality. As well as ensuring its products cause minimal environmental impact, Volvo is also working with Asthma UK and Future Forests to help make a difference on behalf of its employees.

Asthma UK launches its 10 point Charter¹ today, aimed at reducing the impact of asthma in the workplace and Volvo Car UK is one of the companies endorsing the campaign. Employees will receive copies of the Charter and be made aware of potential workplace triggers that can cause an asthma attacked include dust, stress, cigarette smoke and perfume / air fresheners

Volvo Car UK also has been a CarbonNeutral® company for two years². This means that all the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from Volvo employees' business travel and office energy consumption have been reduced and then neutralised. In the first year alone, Volvo Car UK, working with Future Forests planted nearly 5,000 trees across the UK – enough to cover 11 football pitches. In 2004, Volvo CarUK is expected to offset 2,681 tonnes of CO₂ with a further tree planting programme.

As well as a healthy office environment, Volvo also offers a healthy in-car environment for its customers. Volvo’s Clean Inside and Out concept provides an allergy-free cabin, ideal for sufferers of asthma, hayfever and contact allergies such as eczema.

By using environmentally-compatible materials that fulfil the requirements of OEKO-TEX100 – an international environmental standard, Volvo guarantees that materials contain no harmful substances. This certification covers seat belts, carpets, thread, glues and fabrics. Even the leather upholstery meets this requirement, having undergone chromium-free tanning, thanks to the use of natural plant substances. Other parts, such as the handbrake button, load eyelet and steering wheel emblem, have all been tested for contact allergies too.

A filter prevents dust, exhaust particles and pollen from entering the cabin through the ventilation system. All models in the Volvo range (except the C70 convertible) are fitted with an air quality system with electronic sensors which monitor the amount of air pollutants in the incoming air and closes the air inlet when levels rise too high. A combined filter with active carbon eliminates odour surges from screenwasher liquid and exhaust fumes by lowering the levels of nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone and hydrocarbons.

The PremAir® system is also fitted to Volvo models as standard. The car radiator has a catalytic coating which converts up to 75% of ground level ozone into oxygen, allowing all Volvo owners to clean the air around them as they drive.

1. The Asthma Charter is launched on 14 September at the TUC conference in Brighton.

Charter Points:

1. Nobody should have to breather second-hand smoke at work
2. Employees should enjoy reasonable protection from asthma triggers at work
3. Employees with asthma need to understand their own condition
4. Employeees should be protected from the causes of occupational asthma
5. People who develop occupational asthma need immediate protection
6. Health surveillance is vital in identifying occupational asthma
7. Employees should look for the right help straight away
8. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial
9. Employers and employees need to keep informed of the risks of occupational asthma
10. Employees should know how to help someone having an asthma attack

Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of 5.1 millions asthma sufferers in the UK. For more information visit www.asthma.co.uk

2. CarbonNeutral® is the registered trademark of Future Forests and stands for the highest standards of voluntary action on climate change. For more information visit www.futureforests.com

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