By Robert Farago
April 28, 2008 - 6,239 views
The New York Times wants us to know that the possibility of deleterious health effects from hybrids' electromagnetic fields (E.M.F.) is not so unbelievable. (OH!) "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 [critics] concern is not without merit…" Not without merit? Is that the same as real? Scribe Jim Motavali ain't saying. Instead, an anecdote from E.M.F.-aware Civic Hybrid owner Neysa Linzer offers the proverbial money shot: "She said… her blood pressure rose and she fell asleep at the wheel three times, narrowly averting accidents. 'I never had a sleepiness problem before,' Ms. Linzer said, adding that it was her own conclusion, not a doctor’s, that the car was causing the symptoms." Toyota's Prius spokesperson responded to the concern by saying "What are you guys, nuts?" More specifically, "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.” [thanks to QuasiMondo for the link]
Subscribe to New Content Alerts25 Responses to “ NYT: “Fear, but Few Facts, on Hybrid [E.M.F.] Risk” ”
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POWERED
April 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Not to be cruel, assuming that the photo is of Mz. Linzer, but I suspect that this is a case of not wanting to face the fact that there are other much more probable causes for her rise in blood pressure.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Well, I think a little increased EMF level is a fair trade off for keeping tigers and bears away.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:49 am
The funny thing is I bet the same people who are worried about EMF exposure from overhead power lines and cell phones are the very ones who were championing hybrid cars even before they started making economic sense and wailing over the dirty dealings that killed the EV1 and other electic vehicles.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:58 am
No matter the technology or its benefits, there will always be a group of people ready to sue you for releasing it.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Worrying about the EMF risk in EVs will probably raise your blood pressure more than the EMF itself.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Loverman: You mean keeping the polar bears from drowning?
guyincognito: Exactly.
This definitely sounds like BS, but this could definitely win clean diesel some brownie points with the foil-hat-wearing set.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
…
What’s putting her to sleep is the ride on the Prius.
Speaking as both as an Electrical Engineer and a NYT subscriber/consumer, I would like to mention that I will not be renewing my membership.
Bloody awful.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
she fell asleep at the wheel because she was driving the most boring civic made with the snoozebox CVT
April 28th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Given what we can see about Ms Linzer’s size and stature I would say that there could easily be another reason for her falling asleep behind the wheel: Sleep apnea.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
This is your basic Laugh out Loud article.
But come to think about it, my leg is starting to feel funny and I’m sure my blood pressure is doing something… maybe I should warn people of the EMF risks when sitting near computers… it’s bound to be high, right? Ah, who needs testing equipment when The NYT will write the article anyway?!
April 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Nobody seems to be worried by multi-megawatt-sized motors in trains :)
Rural villagers who have no clue is one thing. Journalists from a major newspaper is a different issue.
Looks like whatever remains of printed media has been sold. I can’t wait for advertising business to collapse due to the lack of supporting content.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Judging by the size of the driver, I think we can safely put to rest the idea that the Prius is not a mid-sized car.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
How preposterous that anyone be concerned that the technology they use could possibly have adverse effects on their health. When in the history of humankind has that ever happened? Poppycock, I say!
April 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
BuckD:
Are you suggesting that she has reason to be concerned? Care to share any scientifically arrived at facts and data to back up that concern?
April 28th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
she fell asleep at the wheel three times
Advice to Ms. Linzer: Let go of the donut!
Seriously, measure the blood glucose level before getting behind the wheel next time.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Pure BS. There’s no way the EMF is causing any problems. But I have another beef with the article: Aren’t the motors in the Prius DC? They run off of batteries right? I can’t imagine they’d put an inverter in there when they’re trying for efficiency. If it’s DC, there’s no point in measuring the EMF in the 50-60Hz range. That’s powerline frequency, there’s nothing special about that for cars.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Miked:
These are the same people that claim EMF from power lines as well as the radio waves from your cell phone cause cancer.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
The area of concern would be the electric motor, which creates strong magnetic fields. That can be solved with shielding, which the Prius people apparently have taken care of.
The risk depends primarily on the frequency of the radiation. It takes intense, high-frequency radiation (such as in X-ray equipment in hospitals) to cause damage.
Power equipment such as powerlines and electric motors use low frequencies and are generally not dangerous.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
She has a point.
When next to a Prius in traffic, I have a hard time receiving updates from the mothership.
Tell her lawyer to give me a call if she needs corroborating testimony for her billion dollar lawsuit.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
# Qwerty :
Judging by the size of the driver, I think we can safely put to rest the idea that the Prius is not a mid-sized car.
It’s a Honda
April 29th, 2008 at 8:15 am
so unbeliveable EMF… anybody…
April 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
OH!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hey!
It’s the “Unintended Acceleration” of the new millenium!
Cool!
The culture of “no personal responsibility” is still alive and well.
And I can’t stand ye old media trick of simply adding a question mark at the end of a headline to cover their a$$es. E.g. “Is there an EMF risk?”
The answer could be — and usually is — “no”, but that doesn’t prevent the unfounded rise in fear in the average person.
We are so easily manipulated, it’s scary. [Insert Iraq War deception here.]
April 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
LOL@ Qwerty!
“Judging by the size of the driver, I think we can safely put to rest the idea that the Prius is not a mid-sized car.”
Slightly riské, but great.
April 29th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
“We” as a nation, yes.
“we” as in me, not so much.
One thing you learn, and you learn it at a young age in this country, is that skepticism is a necessity for survival. Instantly doubt 90% of what the media says and question anything that might even make sense.
That, or just never pick up a newspaper, remote control, or keyboard/mouse..