NY times article on "health risks" from driving hybrids

[tochatihu]

Ozone (from vehicle emission precursors) and PM10 from vheicle emissions directly are a health hazard in every large city, and cause a large number of premature deaths. Any vehicle technology that can reduce these are beneficial to the public health. Including hybrid vehicles.

Erecting hypothetical risks might only amount to attention getting, newspaper selling and ad revenue enhancement. Can't say as I mind that, cause everybody wants to make a buck. However, if the bogeymen are used in the attempt to change peoples vehicle purchase decisions, and more people suffer respiratory and cardiac ailments as a result, then I might get a little pissed off.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Actually, this is why I like to drive with the windows down; so the electric fields can vent.

Then again, I also fold the seats when I'm driving on the interstate to improve aerodynamics.

[VaPrius]

There might be something to this... In the morning on my way to work, I'm sleepy. And in the evening, on my way home, I'm sleepy too! Do you guys think my Prius could be causing this???

[SparrowHawk60]

The reporter must work on an upper floor in the Times Building! To much exposure to the thin air and sun have caused brain damage.

I've worn a glow in the dark watch for years, worked on a flight deck and line, with all kinds of RF radiation, radar, etc. I'm not really worry about exposure from riding in my Prius. In Caly it's drive by's, in New York it's bus fumes, always something!

I'm going to start a list, "Things I need to worry about, when all else is going ok..."

1) Electromagnetic exposure from driving the Prius, even greater risk when passing under power lines!

2) Hummer drivers.

3) Sunlight adding to electromagnetic exposure during day light hours, without my Day Time Running Lights on!

4) Gravitational pull on Prius while on earth.

[TonyPSchaefer]

Originally Posted by VaPrius

There might be something to this... In the morning on my way to work, I'm sleepy. And in the evening, on my way home, I'm sleepy too! Do you guys think my Prius could be causing this???

Now that I think of it, I've experienced some very disturbing situations during my commute as well. Since the battery is in the rear of the Prius, is makes perfect sense that the large electromagnetic field is actually drawing the sheet-metal intensive crew-cab trucks closer to my rear bumper. This ties directly into the common report by Prius owners being tailgated by large vehicles. I believe that I am tailgated less often by smaller vehicles which would make sense due to the reduced quantity of metal being magnetically drawn to my car. Larger vehicles and high-performance vehicles tend to have larger engine blocks which would be more susceptible to magnetic attraction. I think we're onto something here.

[Ct. Ken V]

Hi, all,

Now besides my gas gage or guess gage, I've got to worry about a gauss gage while driving my Prius. Sheesh! What next?

Ken (in Bolton,Ct)

[hill]

Originally Posted by neon tetra

I don't think it's necessarily an anti-Prius thing. People have been talking about this for a while on other vehicles, and especially airplanes.

If it's a concern, then it should be examined. If it turns out to be nothing, then even better.
But I do see a bit of a trend on this board to be overly apologetic about car & to almost deny that some of the problems exist.

oh sure ... examine away ...
we COULD just pull out of the persian gulf and save tons of lives ...
we COULD just curb drunk driving and save 10's of thousands of lives ...
we COULD just work on drug/gang related violence & save tons of lives ...
we COULD just work on AIDS-alzheimers etc funding etc & save tons of lives ...

or not ...

[neon tetra]

Those things will never happen, b/c most of the 'problems' in the world = big business.

Weapons manufacturers, politicians & contractors need wars, the pharmaceutical industry needs 'diseases', the prison industrial complex needs 'inmates', etc..

[boulder_bum]

Originally Posted by patsparks

I have lost my sense of direction in my Prius more than once.
Must be the magnetic fields interfering with the compass in my head.

You should have got the GPS package (and I guess a lead vest according to the NY Times).

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by neon tetra

I don't think it's necessarily an anti-Prius thing. People have been talking about this for a while on other vehicles, and especially airplanes.

If it's a concern, then it should be examined. If it turns out to be nothing, then even better.
But I do see a bit of a trend on this board to be overly apologetic about car & to almost deny that some of the problems exist.

It is nothing more then a propaganda story to slow the gullable soccer mom's from trading in their big SUV's in droves for a Toyota or Honda Hybrid. That way they trade them in for less economical but "Safer" non-hybrid vehicle from GM, Ford, or Chrysler. Did anyone notice there was no mention of bad EMF readings in any of the few Hybrid GM and Ford Vehicles.