All About Cars And Trucks

The Frightening Dangers in Automobiles

2012-02-17T12:04:00.000-08:00

By Brian Turner

When people consider purchasing a new car they initially look into how economical the gas mileage is, how much room there is inside for seating and storage and what safety features the car has to offer. Most people would never know to look into how many hazardous materials they and their loved ones may be exposed while inside the new vehicle.

Awareness of toxic chemical exposure in automobiles has increased worldwide and especially in Europe, culminating in the passing of the European Union’s REACH chemicals legislation which came into force in 2007. Since then, automakers have made a more conscious effort to phase them out, but as a consumer it is important to know what chemicals to research and look for when purchasing a new or used car.

Lead:

Lead has been used as an additive in parts made of plastic in automobiles for decades. Exposure can result in brain damage, learning and behavioral problems, kidney, blood, and reproductive problems.

Chlorine:

This chemical is used in the production of ploy vinyl chloride (PVC) and is used in some seat and under ceiling production. It contains phthalates, which have been associated with infertility and early deliveries. Phthalates can be passed from mother to child through the placenta and breast milk. Exposure can also lead to damage in the liver, thyroid, kidneys, testes, ovaries, and blood.

Bromine:

Bromine is used as a flame retardant added to the plastics, when exposed to heat or UV-rays the chemical breaks down and increase in toxicity. Bromine has been associated with learning problems, behavioral changes, and impairment of memory.

Asbestos:

Asbestos has been used for decades in the hood liners, brake pads, and clutch facings of automobiles. Causing significant risk to professional mechanics and at home enthusiasts alike. Asbestos has also commonly been used in the materials to make heated seats, valve rings, and gasket material.

The danger from asbestos comes from breathing in the dust. The extent of the damage to ones health may not be realized for 15 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Inhalation of asbestos dust can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer, and pleura mesothelioma, a form of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos was used routinely in parts of older cars, millions of which are still in use today. Many foreign cars that are imported to the United States still contain asbestos in the brake pads and clutch facings.

Not all cars are made alike, and some are safer from exposure than others. It is important to research the models you are interested in and get the facts before you buy. Your health, and that of your families may count on it.

Dodge Viper ACR is fastest production car at Nurburging

2011-09-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Dodge's Viper ACR has taken back the lap time record for production car at the Nurburging track. Even with a brand new Viper in the works for its 2013 release, the current edition is still a rocket around the race track.

The Viper Club has reported, yet unconfirmed, that the 2010 Dodge Viper ACR ran a lap at Nurburging in 7 minutes, 12 seconds, which is 5 seconds faster than the Lexus LFA who previously held the record for production cars. before that, the Corvette ZR1 put up a time of 7:19, and prior to the Chevy's lap, the Viper was king in 2008 with a 7:22.1 lap. So Dodge is not new to being at the top of the performance production car podium.

TV reporter in Irene covered in toxic waste

2011-08-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

WTTG's Tucker Barnes casually gives a live report on Hurricane Irene from Ocean City, Maryland while being pelted with what he described as "organic matter" that "doesn't taste great."

It probably tasted bad because the mystery "sea foam" was raw sewage that had poured into the water during the storm and then mixed with cyanobacteria, causing it to foam up. Its a nasty top layer of the Frappuccino that is the oceanafter you neglect it for a few minutes and the whipped cream starts to melt into the icy brown part. Except toxic.

Reporter Gives Update Covered In Sea Foam: MyFoxNY.com

Justin Bieber has good taste in cars

2011-08-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

I may not like this kid, but i am one jealous SOB when i see him driving THIS:

Now hes had this $200,000 beast of a Ferrari F430 sittin in his garage since before he can drive, but he better know how to handle all that power and i better not see it wrecked a few years down the road xD at least he doesnt have a plaque on it that says "made specifically for Justin Bieber" AHEM "SITUATION" -.-

2013 Ford Mustang Spy Photos

2011-08-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently, according to MUSTANGDAILY, the 2013 Ford Mustang will be receiving a significant redesigning from the mean look of the Shelby GT500. In the spy photos, it doesnt seem to have been redesigned too much, but theyve got over a year to continue to alter the vehicle. The new Mustang, similar to what is being included with the 2014 BMW M3, will have LED lights installed (yes those bright white lights that blind you from oncoming traffic XD) There will also be a significant increase in horsepower, no specifics are known, but it will happen xD

"The Situation" adds to his collection

2011-08-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

I guess his Ferrari just wasnt enough huh? xD Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino from the so popular Jersey Shore adds a "GTL" Lamborghini Gallardo to add to his garage. A plaque was even included on the car to remind everyone who this customized Lamborghini was made for. After all these Jersey Shore stars go broke, im sure a diehard fan will brag about this purchase to everyone else who watched Jersey Shore xD

Just in case the plaque wasnt enough to remind you whos car this is, the infamous "GTL" is found on the license plate.

Wiz Khalifa Rollin' in Black And Yellow

2011-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

I guess when you have a single called "Black and Yellow" that hits #1, you definitely need a car to match. Here's Wiz Khalifa and his customized Dodge Challenger SRT8 which looks pretty freakin nice x) What do you think of it?

2014 BMW M3 Spy Photos!!!

2011-08-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, looks uhhhhhmazing xD nice to knkow theyre already testing the prospected model two years before its premiere, hopefully means it will be the most high-performance and luxurious BMW in the German companies history.

it is pretty questionable why they have revealed so much of the body style on the test track, because newly tested cars, especially two years early, are usually completely hidden under black tarps xP

Apparently the stock vehicle will also be equipped with the bright LED lights (yes those bright white headlights that blind you from the oncoming traffic like a vehicle driving out of heaven xD)

The car will have about a 16 Horsepower increase AND better gas mileage!! pretty good combination if you ask me x) looking forward to seeing more updates on the future vehicle :)

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/spied/11q3/2014_bmw_m3_spy_photos-future_cars

McLaren looks to end 15 year victory dry spell with the MP4-12C GT3 race series

2011-08-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

McLaren had an embarrassing outing with their previous model entered into the 2011 24 hours of Spa with three separate vehicles and expected to be one of the top competitors. However only ONE of the three cars even finished the race. Now of course the race is a brutal one, with many racers dropping out, but McLaren was practically guaranteeing all three of their cars to finish near the top, yet only one finished mid field, pretty embarrassing.

One vehicle experienced thermal difficulties and had to pull off, the second, sadly, experienced a rattling wreck on the very first turn of the race after contact with a black BMW. McLaren hopes to prove their vehicles reliability with their new model.

Aesthetically speaking.... thats one friggin sexy car xD

heres a slideshow of the wreck in last years race.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/mclaren/2012-mclaren-mp4-12c-gt3-ar101965.html

Go from the roads straight into the BAJA 1000 with the Rally Fighter!!!

2011-08-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

Although it was created by a bunch of internet users, the rally fighter has stood up to the most rigorous of challenges. A recent episode on History's Top Gearcovered the durability of the Rally Fighter, and it met the challenges! (despite one slight hiccup in the water xD)

Surprisingly, this beast of a machine runs an average of only $60,000. (prices vary on extras chosen by each customer)

The innovative aspect of this vehicle, is that Local Motors actually uses parts from other manufacturers to help the customer build their personal car :) this saves TONS of money for producing small, specific parts in short periods, instead using other parts made by differnt companies x)

So for a street legal trophy truck thats ready for an offroad race, nothing compares to the rally fighter x)

http://jalopnik.com/5398864/local-motors-rally-fighter-the-first+ever-creative-commons-car