Posted on 05/10/2008 3:52:26 PM PDT by billorites
ALMOST without exception, scientists and policy makers agree that hybrid vehicles are good for the planet. To a small but insistent group of skeptics, however, there is another, more immediate question: Are hybrids healthy for drivers?
There is a legitimate scientific reason for raising the issue. The flow of electrical current to the motor that moves a hybrid vehicle at low speeds (and assists the gasoline engine on the highway) produces magnetic fields, which some studies have associated with serious health matters, including a possible risk of leukemia among children.
With the batteries and power cables in hybrids often placed close to the driver and passengers, some exposure to electromagnetic fields is unavoidable. Moreover, the exposure will be prolonged — unlike, say, using a hair dryer or electric shaver — for drivers who spend hours each day at the wheel.
Their concern is not without merit; agencies including the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute acknowledge the potential hazards of long-term exposure to a strong electromagnetic field, or E.M.F., and have done studies on the association of cancer risks with living near high-voltage utility lines.
“The results that we saw were quite concerning,” he said. “We saw high levels in the vehicle for both the driver and left rear passenger, which has prompted us to explore shielding options and to consider advocating testing of different makes and models of hybrid vehicles.”
In a statement, Toyota said: “The measured electromagnetic fields inside and outside of Toyota hybrid vehicles in the 50 to 60 hertz range are at the same low levels as conventional gasoline vehicles. Therefore there are no additional health risks to drivers, passengers or bystanders.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
All I know about the “dangers’ of magnetic fields is that I once (about 15 years or so ago) placed an operational degaussing coil around my head as a dare—and moved it up and down a couple times while it was on. It DID make my head hurt—BAD!! Whether it was psychosomatic or not...I don’t know. I just know my head was not hurting before—and DID hurt after I did it!!.
Hey, I resemble that remark! LOL
That was a good one. Thanks.
Nano-technology is already being employed in battery technology, at MIT. It’s experimental, to be sure, but isn’t that how all of our present technology began, as an experiment?
I own a Ford Escape Hybrid. I bought it because I like owning an SUV but I don’t like going to the gas station. I could care less about “bona fides” or “moral superiority”.
I’ve always thought it was the guys who felt the need to buy really big cars were the ones trying to prove their manhood.
Seriously, I think people should be able to buy whatever car they want for whatever reason they want. Liberals shouldn’t tell people they’re bad for wanting a gas guzzler and conservatives shouldn’t make fun of people who want to own a hybrid.
Build some nuclear power plants and some oil refineries.
Salvage the oil bubbling out of the ocean off Long Beach, CA.
Who gives a crap?
Also we hope the Dell Syndrome never affects electric cars. Imagine 1000 laptop batteries shorting out under your seat.
Funny, that's the sex-ed lecture I recall from parochial school.
I was intrigued.
There is some anecdotal evidence that people who are poorer and therefore get stuck living in less desirable neighborhoods near power lines also have a higher incident of certain types of cancers.
There was a very high incidence of leprosy found in people who lived in leper colonies. It is clear that the colonies caused leprosy. :-)
Key word: Ambiguous!
I have worked every voltage from 120 volts to over 500,000 volts as a High Voltage Power Distribution Lineman... we're talking up close and personal with it!
Never had any medical problems after decades of service work. Neither have any of my associates in the field.
Followed the lawsuits that folks filed saying they were harmed by EMF by living close to Transmission Lines... the lawsuits were of course denied.
I knew one linehand that claimed he got cancer of the liver, and lungs from exposure, he never got a dime from the power companies either... he forgot to admit in court that his liver and luyng cancer just mighta, coulda, been caused by his quart of vodka/ 3 pack of cigarette per day habit...
The way it's been explained to me is that it is the very low voltage appliances, especially electric blankets that ARE believed to be carcingenic...
Just my two cents.
AMEN! I'd love to have an electric car for tooling around town. It would keep the air I have to breathe a little cleaner. I like the plug in hybrids, because, if I decided to drive a little farther ona particular, or go on a long trip, I'd like to have that flexibility.
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