With the hybrid battery, high voltage lines going past the driver, and high voltage components in the engine compartment, the EMF exposure of Prius occupants is far higher than in a non-hybrid car. The electric utility industry has been successful so far in defending against the hundreds of EMF lawsuits brought against it. However, many studies in the US and Europe show EMF increases the risk of leukemia and other illnesses, especially in children. I read that exposure in the Honda Insight was 135 milligauss (mG). A 1993 study (Liburdy and Colleagues) found that 12 mG stimulates the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Does anyone know if EMF (electromagnetic frequency) exposure has been studied in the Prius? I would like to know what the EMF levels are in the Prius (for example at the hip and upper body areas), if the EPA or other agencies have established a safe EMF exposure level, and what that level is. Specific, supportable facts and information on this issue would be greatly appreciated.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jun 9 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]269011[/snapback]</div> I have read that the Prius has a steady 100+ level in the back right seat. Makes me a bit nervous. I'd like more info too!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jun 9 2006, 08:16 PM) [snapback]269011[/snapback]</div> The EPA says that low-frequency EMF and other non-ionizing radiation are not harmful. The EPA ought to be renamed the BPA (Business Protection Agency). However, I've seen mixed information, and in my opinion the jury is still out on this one. I suspect, however, (maybe just because I'm a Prius enthusiast) that the risks from the car are insignificant compared with the risks from the stuff they put in our food. (Unless you go to a health food store, for example, you cannot buy any crackers, cookies, or baked snacks (even graham crackers!) without partially hydrogenated oils, which contain trans-fats. Trans fats are known to be nasty stuff, but the government permits their inclusion in food and does not even require labelling! So much for government protection!)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 10 2006, 08:21 AM) [snapback]269170[/snapback]</div> Trans-fats are nasty. They are the one item that really spikes my cholesterol levels. Once I found the hidden source, though, I stopped eating anything with it in them and voila, levels dropped. They are also in a lot of breakfast cereals and that's the white stuff in Oreos. It's ironic that you are better off eating goods made with real butter than the current assortment of "safe" margarine laden products that are full of transfats. Fortunately, as of January 2006, transfats are now required to be labeled, so it's easier to identify products with them. You'll notice that many manufacturers have scrambled to remove them from their products now that the info is on the package. This means that many alternatives are starting to show up. Newman's own line of crackers, cookies, etc. are transfat free. Also, many of Trader Joe's line of foods are ok. We're lucky on the west coast that there is a higher degree of food awareness, so the demand for alternatives supports a robust market. Push your grocery chains to supply alternatives too. Warning, some products are claiming zero transfats, and still have trace amounts in them, so shop carefully. Here are some guidelines: -- Frozen food: French fries, frozen pizzas, pot pies, fish sticks and other breaded frozen foods all can contain trans fat. Also note that very high levels can be found in packaged instant noodles like ramen and instant soup cups.
Hmmm. I had not actually looked at the labels for any of those things recently, except graham crackers (tried to find a brand without hydrogenated oils, and could not until I went to a health-food store - but I did not see trans-fat listed on the labels... I'll have to check again) and microwave popcorn (same story... ended up buying old-fashioned pop-it-yourself popcorn.)
a few scientific papers on the subject: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...l=pubmed_docsum http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcg...f&artid=1240626 http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcg...f&artid=1292495
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jun 10 2006, 09:39 PM) [snapback]269351[/snapback]</div> Thank you! These are interesting and helpful. I'd still like to get EMF info about the prius. I'm sure there's low level EMF in the Prius, as there is almost everywhere these days. The thing that concerns me is high level EMS, like that in transmission lines. I heard the cables under the passenger cabin carry up to 500 volts, 4 times higher than house current. Is this true. What are the readings in the passenger cabin? Has anyone studied the effects? I'm not sure if it's possible to put in shielding to block EMF radition. If it is does the Prius have shielding?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nyprius @ Jun 10 2006, 10:55 PM) [snapback]269385[/snapback]</div> Someone over at PriusOnline measured the EMF levels on a 2004 Prius and deemed it unacceptable for what he wanted to expose his children to. So he built a shielded child seat, altho what he'll do when his kid(s) outgrow the seat remains to be seen. I think he said the level was only high in the back, over the battery. Not in the front.
The highest voltages go between the inverter and motors, all within the engine compartment. The HV lines that go under the passenger compartment to the battery are 200 something volts DC. I don't know if that makes anyone feel any better? The rear wheel drive SUVs and new Lexus sedan may be another story, however.
Based on studies of EMF with high-powered electrical lines (read a some of this stuff a few years ago), the EMF threat is bunk.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mirza @ Jun 11 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]269516[/snapback]</div> Never let facts get in the way of a good opinion or fear.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Amazing Arthur @ Jun 9 2006, 09:13 PM) [snapback]269067[/snapback]</div> To put this in perspective, the earth's magnetic field is several hundred milliGauss depending on where you are. Also even conventional cars have a significant magnetic field from the steel used in the construction - it is difficult to use a compass in a car because of this. kevin
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jun 10 2006, 09:39 PM) [snapback]269351[/snapback]</div> Can I please get a quick bottom-line summary?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mystery Squid @ Jun 11 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]269805[/snapback]</div> Quoting from galaxee's third link in her above post: They've studied other possible effects as well, with similar results. Bottom line: we really don't yet know.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Jun 12 2006, 09:10 AM) [snapback]269875[/snapback]</div> Thank you.
Here's a link to the child seat modification... Modified Child Seat It drops the EMF by over 50% for the seat, but obviously doesn't do anything if you're sitting on either side of the child seat. Bottom line: There do seem to be high levels of EMF in the back of the Prius.
Do any of these studies ever discuss the difference, if any, between AC magnetic fields, and ones like the Prius, DC fields? It would seem to me that the AC fields could affect the body in different ways than a DC field, possibly interfering with the body's natural frequencies? Anything to this theory?
pubmedcentral.gov is a great place to find free full text articles (ones that don't require a subscription to the journal) and you can search to your heart's content. today i have a lot of data to wrestle with, trying ot figure out exactly what's going on here (sigh)
