1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

High EMF in rear right seat?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by summit123, Oct 26, 2010.

  1. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    96
    12
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I recently came across a study that seems to have bee conducted in europe. I cannot post the link as I have not submitted enough posts/threads. But you can easily find it if you search "next-up" and "prius" together. The title of the link should be something like "Toyota EMF Hybrid Next-Up"

    Has anyone heard about this study and the results? I could not find the date but it appears to be a recent study since it was conducted on the 2010 model. It's stating that the rear right passenger is exposed to high levels of EMF due to an exposed hybrid battery connection. It was measured to be 24mG with the Power on, in Park. I can only think that the level would be much higher when the car is in motion. The recent Consumer Reports study in Aug did not mention anything about this seating location. This is very concerning if I place a car seat in the rear. Of course, I can always just place it on the left side, but the problem still remains.

    The website that published this result is Next-up. It seems to be a multi-national organization, although I could not find any contact information to follow up on this study.

    Anyone have any pertinent info about this study or the organization?
     
  2. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    868
    123
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA --- Land of Fruits & Nuts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If you have trouble sleeping at night because you are concerned about EMF generated by a hybrid or electric vehicles, I suggest that you sell your Prius and buy an older vehicle of conventional design that doesn't have very many options like electric window lifts, door locks, etc.....

    There are a lot of other things in life that pose greater danger than EMF, like the guy in the other car coming at you who has been drinking, or is distracted from driving by using a cell phone or is currently texting; or the little old lady in the car next to you that is about to side swipe you because she is preoccupied with the small dog on her lap.

    Keith
     
  3. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    332
    21
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    After you sell your Prius, and any other modern car you have...lose the cell phone, the WiFi connection on your laptop...stay away from Starbucks, etc

    Good luck.
     
  4. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2007
    868
    123
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA --- Land of Fruits & Nuts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Great reply. The EMF field intensity of an active cell phone pressed up against your ear is far greater than the EMF field generated within your Prius.

    Keith
     
  5. donee

    donee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2005
    2,956
    197
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi Summit...,

    In this Wikipedia link: Earth's magnetic field - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia it says:


    The strength of the field at the Earth's surface ranges from less than 30 microteslas (0.3 gauss) in an area including most of South America and South Africa to over 60 microteslas (0.6 gauss) around the magnetic poles in northern Canada and south of Australia, and in part of Siberia.

    end quote

    Of course .3 gauss is 300 milligauss - which is ten times as strong as the field measured in the report you quote.

    Or in other words - go out in a field in a area where the Earth's magnetic field is at its weakest, spin around in a circle, and you expose yourself to EMF 10 times greater than 28 milligauss.
     
  6. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,188
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Don't buy a Chevy Cobalt to replace the Prius. It has even higher EMF.
     
  7. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    963
    248
    0
    Location:
    Reading, UK
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Meters that purport to measure levels this low are pandering to the tinfoil-hat brigade. Professional flux density measurement equipment only measures down to maybe 0.2 gauss.

    It's my view that what they've actually measured is the revolving stator rotor magnet in the battery fan - which is located behind the vent next to the right-rear seat.

    EDIT: DUH, of course I meant rotor. The rotor is the bit that rotates, the stator is the bit that doesn't. On conventional DC motors the stator has permanent magnets and the rotor is an electromagnet, but I believe this is a 'brushless DC motor', i.e. a three-phase AC motor with an integrated inverter.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    256
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It love how many people with just 1 post come into these forums and bash the Prius. If I was the ops and someone posted something negative on their first post I would delete the user and the post.
     
    1 person likes this.
  9. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2009
    655
    163
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    meh........now we have a movement where parents are wanting to ban wi-fi from schools because a few kids are supposedly getting headaches, nausea, and can't concentrate. Great. Because of two kids, the whole school can't have wi-fi or peanut butter.
     
  10. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    332
    21
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Agree 100%. There's way too many negative "one and done" posts on this site. It's clear that a certain percentage of posters aren't really looking for answers to questions...they simply want to stir the pot.

    What amazes me more is, as was pointed out on another thread...even when it's been pointed out (multiple times) by legit posters, that the OP who started the thread, hasn't been back to respond after several months...people foolishly still continue to respond to the OPs question/concern.

    A waste of good bandwidth, if you ask me.
     
  11. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Here we go again

    I actually visited that confusing and kooky site, I love their term "electrosmog." Let's try to do something about real smog before we chase after something that hasn't been proven to hurt us - real smog hurts us

    They concluded the power cables from the battery pack were responsible for the unusually strong field. Problem is, the battery pack is DC, the power cables carry DC

    There are many conventional cars with readings just as high if not higher. We might as well ban electric power generation and distribution, cell phones, wi-fi, etc. Better ban computers while we are at it!
     
    1 person likes this.
  12. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2010
    96
    12
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    No, I am not a 1-post poster. I have been getting and appreciate the much valuable info on my Prius on this website for almost a year now. Is it my fault for being concerned about my and my family's well being?

    I would like to remind the posters who were a bit too quick to bash my question about our parents' generation who used to get excited about trips to the shoe store and marvel at their bones under the x-ray shoe "measuring machine" but now realize the dangers of it years after. Are we really any different or wiser than they are? I had posed the question simply under a newer generation with a newer technology.

    Thanks to Mike D who pointed out the possibility of the battery fan causing the high levels. And thanks to jayman who did take the time to visit the website. All I was asking in my thread was thoughts on this as I am not an engineer and the study looked somewhat legitimate.
     
  13. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    1,821
    256
    0
    Location:
    Cleveland, OH
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Your are the same idiot that posted these other EMI post. All done by somone making their first post.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/77542-could-sabotage-using-emi.html#post1082036

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-2008-emf-mech-watches-please.html#post907540

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-high-emf-in-rear-right-seat.html#post1202846

    OP please delete all these threads. They are only here to bash the Prius.
     
  14. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2010
    332
    21
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    ...and yet MRI's have been safely used for decades, and MRI's generate magnetic fields (for soft tissue imaging purposes) that are 10^6 times larger than (that's 6-orders of magnitude) what's reported in this article on the Prius. I assume you've heard of MRI's? :rolleyes: Three to four million Americans undergo MRI's every year. Where are these junk science quacks on the MRI danger?


    But as was already pointed out, the Earth's magnetic field is about 10X stronger (ie, one-order of magnitude) than what they measured....so now what? :eek: Move to a low magnetic field planet? LOL.

    But see, here's the deal of why I think you are here to stir the pot, so to speak....you had the time to find this rather obscure article...yet, didn't have the internet skills to even Google, to see how it compared to the Earth's magnetic field? It never crossed your mind to look at the magnetic field generated for MRI's? MRI's have become a very routine medical diognostic tool....and have been for years.

    Please. Spare us.
     
  15. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    1,610
    246
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    There are many sites devoted to this - might I suggest [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_foil_hat]Tin foil hat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] for getting a base knowledge (never trust Wiki - but most of it may be true). The added benefit is the 'extra' protection from those trying to read your thoughts.... EMF waves run through me daily, I've decided through research that protecting my brain is most important. My cell phone is now wired - I add a bit of shielding to the ear-piece (magnetic coil). I've found the ear-piece is easier to wear with the thin aluminum foil - and actually helps it fit in my ear!

    Do I run around with the funny foil on my head all the time - no. I've just decided to protect my head and mind *some* of the time. Meaning I generally only wear foil on my head at night - and have invested in an RF blocking material that actually is soft, and foam like - so comfortable...

    You choose your poison - I would focus all your efforts and research on your head/brain...



    [​IMG]
     
  16. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,075
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Don't be too hard on the OP. I believe this was posted as a legitimate question, and as such, deserves a legitimate answer.

    For the OP, while many of these posts seem harsh, it's important to realize that you hit a nerve. As pointed out, many other threads have covered this same issue. The other threads were started by people who weren't looking for real answers, but wanted confirmation that their paranoia was not just that. Those other threads started with legitimate answers which were quickly dismissed, which leads to this thumping you are now experiencing.

    I'm am quick to bash people unwilling to listen to experts in this area. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are here for real answers.

    As for MRI, I was head of engineering for one of the major MRI companies. I have spent untold hours inside of those magnets. So far I haven't grown another head, although there is that third testicle...

    Tom
     
    2 people like this.
  17. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    1,610
    246
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    So you are proving the point that worrying about magnetic fields does mean something - OK not proving, but enforcing the point that we should all be very worried.

    I, for one, have plenty of testes - and am not looking for an extra. Was your third a real one - or more of a cyst - how did they show it was real???

    We are clearly not looking for pictures - just a general description from your post is fine...
     
  18. Blizzard10

    Blizzard10 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2010
    168
    38
    0
    Location:
    Queens, NYC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    speak for yourself, I want pics :eek:
     
  19. teeasal

    teeasal New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
    420
    50
    0
    Location:
    ON, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    Umm, you did grow another head, that third thingy is your new head. Ever wonder why people affected by high dosage of EMF always thinks with their nuts, that's why.

    OP, this is getting real serious, please go see your doctor ASAP and get an MRI on your nuts to see if the third one is growing. If no third one is found, you'd better ask the doctor to remove the original two to prevent the possibility of the third one growing. This is a well documented cure.
     
  20. donee

    donee New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2005
    2,956
    197
    0
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hi All,

    If your looking for really high personal everyday exposure to high magnetic fields, look up the magnetic fields in these "earbud" style ear phones!