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Toxic Fumes From Mac Pros?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the that-might-explain-john-hodgmen dept.

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."

5 of 267 comments (clear)

  1. Not MacBooks by adamwright · · Score: 5, Informative

    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).

    1. Re:Not MacBooks by orclevegam · · Score: 5, Informative

      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).

      --
      Curiosity was framed, Ignorance killed the cat.
  2. Mac Pro not MacBooks! by tarkin · · Score: 5, Informative

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

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    blaah !
  3. Congratulations, plastic is dirty by toQDuj · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

    --
    Every experiment which ends in a big bang is a good experiment.
  4. Almost all plastics off-gas to some extent by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Informative

    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).

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.