Hybrid Automobiles

There has been a lot of press lately since the price of gasoline is skyrocketing about hybrid cars and possible side effects to folks with pacemakers. I guess while the car is not running with the use of the gasoline engine it creates a significant electromagnetic field. Does anyone drive a hybrid or has anyone been affected by the EMF?

4 Comments

Hybrids & Pacemakers

by Nim Rod - 2008-05-22 06:05:22

I don't have a hybrid car, but my neighbor does and I ride with him without problems. I went to the internet when this subject came up and found the following:

"There are more than one million hybrids on American roads—and there’s no sign that the market for fuel-efficient gas-electric vehicles is slowing down. But according to a number of urban myths, the growing fleet of hybrids is actually an evil force ready to inflict great harm to people with pacemakers, blind people, and anybody who dares to sit behind the wheel of a Toyota Prius. Here are the top five safety dangers supposedly posed by hybrids.

Hybrids cause pacemakers and defibrillators to stop working.
Dr. Westby G. Fisher, a board certified cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist, answered this concern. He writes that carmakers recommend that people with pacemakers not get very close [a few inches] to a hybrid engine, but “operating a hybrid car should be quite safe, as long as the operator with a pacemaker or defibrillator does not try to become the mechanic for their own car.”

A senior cariothorasic nurse writes, “You hear a lot of nonsense about the sensitivity of these devices. The engine in the Prius would create a large electromagnetic field, but as long as you don't hold it in front of your chest you should be fine!” The consensus: Don’t hug your hybrid engine, but otherwise, it’s not an issue."

Hi

by Karen - 2008-05-22 06:05:44

You know I never thought of that before now. My sister and brother in law have one. They just got it. So I am wondering too if can ride that car. Gas prices here was 4.00 yesterday.

Hybrids

by ElectricFrank - 2008-05-23 01:05:37

There shouldn't be any problem with riding or driving a hybrid. Modern high efficiency motor/generators such as used in the hybrid are designed to keep the field inside. After all, any energy radiated by the device lowers its efficiency.
I rode around for several days in my son's Prius last summer with no problem. I also leaned over the engine to admire it. I wouldn't recommend leaning over the opened hood of the vehicle while it is moving down the road though!

frank

Hybrid Cars

by richan - 2008-05-24 10:05:28

Hi Arnoldno,
I bought my Prius in August 2007. Since that time I have had my annual cardiologist visit and have up-loaded to our local PM center twice. So far, there have not been any problems.
I'm guessing that getting deep under the hood while the engine is running would not be a good idea.
Gas here in Michigan is $4.09 - $4.19 this Memorial Day weekend. I happy to have my Prius!
OK?
Richan

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