French newspaper kicks up a stink over Mac Pro ‘toxins’
By John Lister
A French newspaper claims Mac Pros could be giving off toxic fumes containing the dangerous chemical benzene. It follows months of speculation by users who’ve noticed an unusual smell.
The newspaper Liberation says France’s National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks has analysed the machine and found the odour contains benzene, a compound of carbon and hydrogen officially linked to serious health effects including cancer.
The institute reportedly carried out the tests after a researcher, who’d ordered a Max Pro to work on a study of molecular structures, developed irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.
Apple says it hasn’t found any evidence of the claims, but is continuing to investigate them.
The allegations are a worrying development to a long-running saga of users complaining about the foul odour. Those who’ve experienced it include some who say it’s disappeared after a few days and some who’ve had to return their computers for a replacement. Most say it was simply an annoyance, though some have reported being light-headed and one message board poster even speculated it contributed to a pet bird dying. The most common theory seems to be that the cause is a resin coating used to protect circuit boards.
It’s not the first time concerns have been raised over Apple’s environmental record. Last month Greenpeace ranked the firm 11th out of 18 leading tech companies for its overall performance on toxins, recycling and energy efficiency policies, criticising it for its slowness in removing the toxin beryllium from its products and failing to make public its policies on phthalates, a type of plastic linked to health problems, particularly among children.
However, Greenpeace has commended Apple for changes to its latest range of iPods, which no longer use PVC, brominated flame retardants or mercury, all of which can cause pollution and health risks during production and disposal.
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