Via Instapundit, I see this article which has one of Slate’s standard issue provocative/contrarian headlines — “Do Electric Cars Cause Cancer?“:
So we need to switch over to alternative forms of transportation, or at least prepare ourselves to do so. Because transportation consumes a major amount of oil, bringing EVs [Electric Vehicles] into the picture in a big way is seen as a solution, with the added benefit of eliminating tailpipe emissions and at least stabilizing global warming (although the burning of coal for energy also has to go away). Obviously, however, an EV running off an electric motor with a battery that can weigh 600 lbs. raises the health-hazard issue: Does the electromagnetic field generated by the car pose a threat to drivers and passengers?
This question has been bandied around the blogosphere, and answered as best as can be, given limited research, much of which is extrapolated from EMF [Electromagnetic Field] studies of the fields generated by power lines, cell phones, household appliances, and so on. The National Cancer Institute says that there are indications that EMFs can cause certain cancers, but the research is far from conclusive. EVs and hybrids haven’t been in the market long enough for studies to be done, although automakers have tested their vehicles for EMFs (conventional cars as well as hybrids and EVs), and found them to be within accepted limits.
Personally, I can’t imagine the threat of cancer and electric cars is all that great given what I know about the science involved (which is admittedly somewhat limited). However, I imagine increased talk of Prius-induced tumors will cause great consternation among the people inclined to buy such cars. If you’re willing to accept that the incomplete and flawed science behind anthropogenic global warming is enough to completely restructure the global economy (which let’s face it, it’s probably one of the main reasons you’re driving driving an electric car), then you’re probably also much more inclined to believe that EMFs give you cancer. I mean if the raging environmentalists in San Francisco want warning labels about microwaves and EMFs from cell phones, why wouldn’t they be at least as concerned about driving around a 2,700 pound battery on wheels?
Or maybe this is all part of the plan, because environmentalists want you to go ahead and die while you’re still wasting precious resources. No, really:
