Toyota addresses EMF health concerns with hybrids
Whenever electrical current flows through a conductor, an electromagnetic field is induced around that conductor. For many years, some people have been claiming that these electromagnetic fields cause all manner of physical maladies. This is, of course, a highly dubious prospect since the humans are constantly being bombarded by electromagnetic radiation from space as well as from within the earth. In recent years WiFi routers and electrical transmission lines have been commonly accused of causing problems, although no conclusive evidence has been put forward. The latest suspect is hybrid cars (and of course future EVs) which contain high voltage batteries.
Over on the Open Road Blog, Toyota Communications VP, Irv Miller, has addressed the issue with regard to hybrid cars. While neither acknowledging or denying that EMF is an actual problem, Miller does explain how any potential EMF exposure is minimized in his company's vehicles. The main issue with EMF revolves around alternating current. The battery and cabling to the drivetrain only has direct current, which is not considered problematic. Most of the AC EMF is within the engine compartment and what there is, is heavily shielded. According to Miller, Toyota's hybrids emit no more EMF than conventional vehicles and the emissions are only about 1/300th of the recommended maximum as defined by the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection.
[Source: Toyota]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
axiom 7:59PM (7/15/2008)
Umm...yeah. Comparing electromagnetic radiation from outer space and the Earth itself to wifi and electrical transmission lines is utterly ridiculous. The writer of this article has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. I'm going to suggest some good reading, for anyone who maybe needs to educate themselves on this topic (hint, hint):
The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life by Robert Becker
You can pick it up on Amazon for about $10 and its worth it.
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Mike!!ekiM 8:46PM (7/15/2008)
Wouldn't we have seen high cancer rates in NYC, or London, Paris or Rome, from their subway systems if this were true?
axiom 11:22PM (7/15/2008)
"Wouldn't we have seen high cancer rates in NYC, or London, Paris or Rome, from their subway systems if this were true?"
I wasn't commenting on whether EM from hybrids is dangerous or not. If you click the article link they actually attempt to provide protective shielding in vehicles to prevent that. Still downplaying the potential threat of wifi and high tension lines by citing the Earth's natural EM radiation and EM coming from outspace is...laughable and ignorant at a minimum. I suggest you breeze through the book.
Ignatius 12:20AM (7/16/2008)
B-b-bullshit!
People who actually claim that they're suffering due to electromagnetic interference need to be tested for mental problems.
I've worked around electronics all my life, both shielded and unshielded and I haven't had a single problem.
It's like saying WiFi causes cancer...oi.
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stevefazek 1:28AM (7/16/2008)
Gee how much EMF radiation comes from the sun and gamma bursts?
Maybe our central Nervous system and brains which function on EM signals are causing cancer as well.
I say we ban all thinking to make people safe
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armmat 11:54AM (7/16/2008)
Hmmmmm...
But:
1) Sitting in traffic everyday for hours behind thousands of cars and semi-trucks isn't unhealthy.
2) Sucking down half a pack of cigarettes isn't unhealthy.
3) Holding a freaking cell phone to your head for an hour isn't unhealthy.
4) Living in a craphole like LA isn't unhealthy.
Not not at all..
But listening to dribble like this, much in the same way the megadouches from CNW were dribbling...definitely is unhealthy.
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Joce03 4:35PM (7/16/2008)
Thank you!
CNCMike 2:15PM (7/16/2008)
Is this the same Robert Becker who says that people under the age of 12 will fully re grow an amputated extremity if the would is left open and untreated?
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