What you're smelling is the odor of activated carbon. I know that everyone has told you that activated carbon absorbs odors, but it isn't actually true. Activated carbon "adsorbs" some chemicals, which means that it holds onto the chemicals temporarily before releasing them back into the air. There is no evidence that carbon actually removes odors.
What it actually does do is add a sweet fragrance to the air, which can mask odors. That odor comes off faster when the humidity level is higher. When the car has been off for a while, the offgassing from the activated carbon builds up in the filter box. When you first turn the AC on, it all blows out at once and you notice it more than you would when the AC has been running for a while.
Not everyone notices the odor. Some people perceive it as the absence of odor. For me, it is very irritating, and causes headaches. When I buy a car, I always make sure that it doesn't come with a carbon filter, or that a filter is available that doesn't have it.
See, for example, this:
airandwaterexpert.com
What it actually does do is add a sweet fragrance to the air, which can mask odors. That odor comes off faster when the humidity level is higher. When the car has been off for a while, the offgassing from the activated carbon builds up in the filter box. When you first turn the AC on, it all blows out at once and you notice it more than you would when the AC has been running for a while.
Not everyone notices the odor. Some people perceive it as the absence of odor. For me, it is very irritating, and causes headaches. When I buy a car, I always make sure that it doesn't come with a carbon filter, or that a filter is available that doesn't have it.
See, for example, this:
Why Does My Honeywell Air Purifier Smell? | Air & Water Expert
The primary function of air purifiers is to remove foul odors and air pollutants from your environment or home. Manufacturers fit air purifiers is with…
airandwaterexpert.com
