Toxic Fumes From Mac Pros?

Fanboi Killa writes "Apple is investigating damning claims, published in a leading French newspaper, that its computers emit a toxic odor containing chemicals including the cancer-causing benzene. Apple has not denied the accusations. Its spokesman, Bill Evans, told Macworld the company had not found any evidence to support the claim but Apple would continue to investigate. Posts on Apple's own discussion boards suggest the Mac maker knew about potentially toxic odors being linked to its computers as early as December last year."

Comments

Not MacBooks

[adamwright]

If there's any truth to it, then I'm fairly sure this only applies to MacPros (see http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2319).

Re:Not MacBooks

[orclevegam]

He didn't mean the MacBookPro (MBP), he meant Mac Pro, you know, the big desktop systems, one of these.

Seems there might be something to the report, but it's too early to say for sure. If it's correct then the problem is most likely related to either a protective coating applied to the motherboard, or possible some plastic pieces on the inside of the case (my money would be on the coating though).

So, to re-iterate, this isn't talking about any of the laptops, this is just the desktops, and even then not any of the iMacs (at least only Mac Pros have reported this problem).

Mac Pro not MacBooks!

[tarkin]

The article (and 'internets' hype) cleary state the problematic machines to be the Mac Pro (manufactured pre 2008)

Um...

[bytethese]

Mac PROS. I didn't see anything about MacBOOKS... Wow, the flurry of misinformation regarding Apple products the past few days is staggering!

Re:Toxic odor???

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the GP means that the odour isn't toxic, the gas responsible for the odour is.

B.

Congratulations, plastic is dirty

[toQDuj]

Wow, what a discovery...

Plastic is amongst the "dirtiest" compounds in manufacturing. They commonly contain plasticisers, colorants, residual monomers, oligomers and solvents, all of whom can, and most likely will evaporate. Depending on the choice of plastic, this is much, little, odourless or smelly.

It looks like only the mention of Apple Mac these days will get your news posted..

B.

Re:Denied it? You bet.

[ProfMobius]

RTFA. The part about 'not denying the allegations' is part of the original article. It is not something the poster made by himself.

Almost all plastics off-gas to some extent

[elrous0]

Just about any polymer used in a modern consumer good is going to off-gas chemicals to SOME extent, over time (it's probably even worse with "environmentally friendly" plastics meant to more quickly degrade over time). Singling out Apple is this regard is just petty. I'm sure you could find just as much in any computer made by a French company (not that France is ever going to complain about THAT, though).

Re:Help!

[Anonymous Coward]

FYI- You can't edit on Slashdot. Might want to update your troll.

"first" hand experience

[taperkat]

i was employed in the retail part of Apple for almost a year, and in that time, I had two customers, both with older Mac Pros, one of which almost started a fire, and the other customer had to take his dog to the vet to be checked out and given a breathing treatment. No real explanation why it happened, and we flat out replaced the machine instead of repaired it, as they were far too gone. Closer inspection on the first was that either wires were crossed, or something plain ol' busted and went haywire with the power supply. The 2nd unit we couldn't even get the door open, it was messed up that bad. And we actually put them on the loading dock for a bit, they smelled that awful. None of this surprises me. It *is* however, a different smell than a MacBook / PS overheating. Those are just burning smell. MP is a putrid stench that basically makes your eyes water and your nose hurt.