What Are the Dangers of Hybrid Vehicles?
Hybrid vehicles can reduce our fossil fuel consumption, but they do come with some inherent risks. Some skeptics are concerned that hybrids might be dangerous to drivers because of long-term exposure to the electromagnetic current that helps power the vehicles.
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Electric Currents
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The electric engine powers the car at lower speeds (usually to about 35 mph), and the gasoline engine takes over at higher speeds. This produces an electromagnetic field.
Studies Inconclusive
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Both the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute have conducted studies on the possible harmful effects to a person driving a hybrid. So far, studies have been inconclusive, and scientists disagree over what are acceptable levels of exposure.
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Possible Leukemia Risk
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The New York Times reported that some studies have linked exposure to electromagnetic fields to a risk of leukemia in children.
Risks to Emergency Responders
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In 2005, State Farm Insurance, the largest auto insurer in the U.S., warned that rescue workers responding to the scene of hybrid vehicles involved in crashes should be aware that electrical lines in hybrids carry between 144 and 650 volts of electricity, enough to electrocute someone.
Auto Repair Risks
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AutoInc., the Automotive Service Association's official publication, reported that some auto technicians were concerned about the potential dangers of working with hybrids.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Kevin Marks
