Educating Yourself on Potential Hybrid Hazards

Hybrids have some hazards like all cars. Hybrids have strong electrical currents running through them, and rescue workers should be the first warned about this. Educating yourself on the potential hybrid hazards is the best way to prevent any tragedies. Consumers should also be informed of potential hazards, because the hazards affect them also.

A hybrid vehicle's high-voltage battery pack cells are sealed and protected by their metal battery cover. All high-voltage circuits and plugs for this system are marked, color-coded orange and posted with warnings to advise of their presence. Knowing a few basic things about hybrids the location and construction of battery compartments should be enough to help first responders save lives and remain safe in the process. Removing the ignition key and disconnecting a vehicle’s 12-volt battery are common first-responder tasks in conventional vehicles already. Performing that task on a hybrid disables its high-voltage controller. The Honda has a 144-volt battery pack. The Toyota Prius is 276 volts. Officials say about 60 volts is fatal, but a person could be killed with as little as 20 volts if the skin is wet. Many believe the electricity in hybrid cars has been overemphasized as a hazard.

Preparation and common since will help rescue works like firefighters and emergency responders cope with the hybrids’ potential hazards. When dealing in a rescue situation the workers should not assume the car is off. Firefighters have coped with advancing automotive technologies for years, and they should be able to skillfully deal with hybrid cars. Air bags presented a concern in the late 80s and early 90s, but firefighting knowledge and technology helped them get past the obstacle. Training is the rescue workers best bet for dealing with potential hybrid car hazards. When dealing in a rescue situation, the workers should not assume the car is off. Apparently, extinguishing a hybrid vehicle fire wouldn’t differ dramatically from quenching a fire in a non-hybrid car. In case of a fire, copious amounts of water should eliminate the radiant heat and cool the hybrid’s metal battery box and the plastic cells inside the battery.

It is uncertain whether hybrid cars have elevated electromagnetic fields, and whether they will cause harm to consumers. Currently, the public can only be sure that the electronics contained in the vehicles meet FCC standards for electromagnetic interference (EMI) with other electronic devices. So, consumers won’t be able to educate themselves on that point, but elevated magnetic fields have not been proven to cause any serious health risk. The most common warnings about elevated electromagnetic fields is a link to childhood leukemia, but a study in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics details how epidemiological and experimental studies have failed to prove a causal link between the disease and elevated electromagnetic fields exposure. It would be best to educate yourself on the potential hybrid hazards.

Emergency responders are training for the potential electrical hazards of the hybrid. The exact dangers of hybrid cars are yet unknown, because they are so new many firefighters haven’t encountered them in accidents. There is, of course, an added risk of electrical shock with the high-voltage circuitry. Firefighters have expressed concern with battery acid, and the electric motor operates on voltages as high as 500 volts, more than eight times lethal voltage. They simply aren't sure what to expect and want to make sure they aren't going to get hurt when they cut into one to rescue a trapped. The Glendale police department in California has given its firefighters an overview of hybrid cars and hopes to have more comprehensive training by the end of the year. In an effort to allay fears, manufacturers post manuals outlining rescue procedures on line.

There are other new technology hazards in the hybrid and non-hybrid cars that officials say could pose a risk in an accident, like un-deployed air bags on all sides and power seat belt pretensioners. Hybrid cars are advancing every day, and like all cars they will have their hazards. Emergency responders, and consumers should be informed of the possible hazards. The hazards are unforeseen now, but educating yourself on potential hybrid hazards could save your life, or someone else’s. Some of the hazards may be overemphasized, but a little knowledge won’t hurt anyone.