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Alu keyboard smell
- Thread starter Samuel88
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Way Toxic
I got a new aluminum/plastic keyboard yesterday and the fumes are so strong that after just a few minutes out of the box I can taste them on the tip of my tongue. Mine was made in China. The Apple store offered to exchange it, but that sounds like a wasted trip. I can't believe Apple would be so un-cool as to use such incredibly toxic plastic. Amazing. There's no way this will wear off within 6 months.
I got a new aluminum/plastic keyboard yesterday and the fumes are so strong that after just a few minutes out of the box I can taste them on the tip of my tongue. Mine was made in China. The Apple store offered to exchange it, but that sounds like a wasted trip. I can't believe Apple would be so un-cool as to use such incredibly toxic plastic. Amazing. There's no way this will wear off within 6 months.
Holy Cow! My new 21.5 has a horrendous smell that will make me light headed, only when I put my nose close to it, but still.
The French weigh in on Apple keyboard's offgassing
Here is the robotic translation of "Mac Pro, le pépin toxique pour Apple ?" from Liberation.fr: http://translate.google.coma/transl...o,+le+p%C3%A9pin+toxique+pour+Apple+%3F&hl=en
Mac Pro, Apple pips poisonous?
September 26, 2008
Some models of Apple computers emit toxic fumes and the giant apple does not breathe a word. A CNRS researcher has discovered to its cost. In February 2007, the lab researcher - who wishes to remain anonymous - acquired a Mac Pro for the study of molecular structures in 3D. After unpacking, he spots a strong odor. Ten days later, his eyes, his nose, his larynx is irritated. "From its inception, the computer has distilled substances that, after a week of use caused me irritation pronounced the cornea and respiratory tract, "says he. Even stationary, the computer feels.
Stink. The molecular biologist then contact Apple Care, service support to customers of Apple, which sends a technician to change the computer power. The stench persists, the researcher insists. Apple held an exchange but - bad luck, the second camera stinks the same way. Intrigued, the researcher begins to rummage on the Internet and discovered that his case is far from isolated. In Germany, Great Britain, the United States, the forums are full of stories. "New car smell", "carpet lined with rotting," "dizziness," "nausea," "migraine". There is even some sound advice: "I work the windows open."
Pugnacious, Greenpeace contacted the scientist who returns on a laboratory analysis, Analytica, known to have flushed out the toxic nature of the oil of the Erika. Analytica trap molecules known aroma. "We have identified seven volatile organic contaminants" Tailliez explains Bernard, patron of the lab. The cocktail is detected uninviting as it is notme styrene, benzene and its derivatives ...
"Benzene." Liberation has raised the study at the National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS). "These substances are for the most irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, which can cause clinical signs of acute exposures. Some are harmful or toxic by the oral route, but there it is inhaled, analysis Sylvie Tissot, a toxicologist at INERIS. So, a priori, no risk. However, a molecule problem. "Benzene can affect bone marrow. Suppose a person works eight hours a day for two months while inhaling such vapors, sensitive people could very well develop leukemia, "says Annie Leszkowicz, expert in chemical risk to the French Agency for the safety of the environment and labor.
Contacted p er release, Apple is silent. "I got the same answer each time, our pitcher gets angry warning:" Our engineers are addressing the problem. "" A strength to lean on, they have been stifled. Yet, Apple owns the analysis report since February and never informed his client of the risk. A few days after publishing its report on the Net, the researcher received a call from Apple, promising "to resolve the problem in eight days." The Internet has intersected the serial numbers of defective computers and some argue that they all come from China. Nothing confirms this hypothesis. In any case, Apple's silence could cost him dearly in 2007, Sony was forced to recall 440 000 laptop batteries due to overheating. The market was then sanctioned the slow management problem, and Sony shares had lost 4.2% in Tokyo.
___________
and here it is in French:
http://www.liberation.fr/terre/010133618-mac-pro-le-pepin-toxique-pour-apple
Here is the robotic translation of "Mac Pro, le pépin toxique pour Apple ?" from Liberation.fr: http://translate.google.coma/transl...o,+le+p%C3%A9pin+toxique+pour+Apple+%3F&hl=en
Mac Pro, Apple pips poisonous?
September 26, 2008
Some models of Apple computers emit toxic fumes and the giant apple does not breathe a word. A CNRS researcher has discovered to its cost. In February 2007, the lab researcher - who wishes to remain anonymous - acquired a Mac Pro for the study of molecular structures in 3D. After unpacking, he spots a strong odor. Ten days later, his eyes, his nose, his larynx is irritated. "From its inception, the computer has distilled substances that, after a week of use caused me irritation pronounced the cornea and respiratory tract, "says he. Even stationary, the computer feels.
Stink. The molecular biologist then contact Apple Care, service support to customers of Apple, which sends a technician to change the computer power. The stench persists, the researcher insists. Apple held an exchange but - bad luck, the second camera stinks the same way. Intrigued, the researcher begins to rummage on the Internet and discovered that his case is far from isolated. In Germany, Great Britain, the United States, the forums are full of stories. "New car smell", "carpet lined with rotting," "dizziness," "nausea," "migraine". There is even some sound advice: "I work the windows open."
Pugnacious, Greenpeace contacted the scientist who returns on a laboratory analysis, Analytica, known to have flushed out the toxic nature of the oil of the Erika. Analytica trap molecules known aroma. "We have identified seven volatile organic contaminants" Tailliez explains Bernard, patron of the lab. The cocktail is detected uninviting as it is notme styrene, benzene and its derivatives ...
"Benzene." Liberation has raised the study at the National Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS). "These substances are for the most irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, which can cause clinical signs of acute exposures. Some are harmful or toxic by the oral route, but there it is inhaled, analysis Sylvie Tissot, a toxicologist at INERIS. So, a priori, no risk. However, a molecule problem. "Benzene can affect bone marrow. Suppose a person works eight hours a day for two months while inhaling such vapors, sensitive people could very well develop leukemia, "says Annie Leszkowicz, expert in chemical risk to the French Agency for the safety of the environment and labor.
Contacted p er release, Apple is silent. "I got the same answer each time, our pitcher gets angry warning:" Our engineers are addressing the problem. "" A strength to lean on, they have been stifled. Yet, Apple owns the analysis report since February and never informed his client of the risk. A few days after publishing its report on the Net, the researcher received a call from Apple, promising "to resolve the problem in eight days." The Internet has intersected the serial numbers of defective computers and some argue that they all come from China. Nothing confirms this hypothesis. In any case, Apple's silence could cost him dearly in 2007, Sony was forced to recall 440 000 laptop batteries due to overheating. The market was then sanctioned the slow management problem, and Sony shares had lost 4.2% in Tokyo.
___________
and here it is in French:
http://www.liberation.fr/terre/010133618-mac-pro-le-pepin-toxique-pour-apple
Toxic Aluminum keyboard
I'm so glad more information and feedback has come regarding this. When I got my new aluminum imac in 2007, I had to outgas the computer in a separate room for months before I could use it and I was unable to use the keyboard for a full year, I had it outgassing in my RV that I wasn't using.
Since then I have bought another keyboard but I was prepared and it's also now in the RV airing out. I am chemically sensitive so this is a big issue for me.
After I posted back in 2007, I called Apple and told them how toxic smelling their aluminum keyboard was so they sent me a replacement one which smelled exactly the same and my new one also smells exactly the same. I received my newest one about one month ago.
I'm so disappointed in Apple. OH, mine have the China sign on them too.
Martha
I'm so glad more information and feedback has come regarding this. When I got my new aluminum imac in 2007, I had to outgas the computer in a separate room for months before I could use it and I was unable to use the keyboard for a full year, I had it outgassing in my RV that I wasn't using.
Since then I have bought another keyboard but I was prepared and it's also now in the RV airing out. I am chemically sensitive so this is a big issue for me.
After I posted back in 2007, I called Apple and told them how toxic smelling their aluminum keyboard was so they sent me a replacement one which smelled exactly the same and my new one also smells exactly the same. I received my newest one about one month ago.
I'm so disappointed in Apple. OH, mine have the China sign on them too.
Martha
Yes!!! I have been suffering acutely with a series of four aluminum keyboards since June--two originals and two replacements at home and office. They're all made in China. I'm certain the fumes come from inside the keyboard: the surface of the keyboard doesn't smell, or can be cleaned off so it doesn't, but as soon as I start typing, the stuff comes up in clouds. And then it perfumes my clothing, my hair, my jewelry... It creates an acrid smell on my hands that doesn't come off even with a few soapy scrubbings with a nail brush not just on my nails but all over my skin, or with a washcloth. I too get the sensation, almost like a taste, on the tip of my tongue. The particles line my nostrils, so that I need to wash them out with soap to be rid of the odor. If I don't wash them at bedtime, in breathing I infect the bed linens with the smell. It has to be washed off my eyelids. This stuff is astoundingly persistent. It gets on my face so that even if I've gotten my hands fairly odor-free--that would take several washings, and would still not be perfect--a touch to my unwashed face and my fingers smell again.
I've gotten the same stonewalling at Apple others have mentioned. My complaint is the "first" the gentleman I've been talking to, Tom, Senior Product Specialist, has heard of any such problem. I already said to him weeks ago that if you Google under "Apple keyboard smell" there are some 275,000 entries. Yet yesterday he again said he hadn't heard of this issue. My position has been that I don't even (necessarily) want a refund or replacement through ordinary channels, more than anything I want information: where might I obtain a like keyboard that doesn't have this chemical (which I imagine is a lubricant) inside? For instance do different plants manufacture them, and if so, do some produce clean ones? I like the keyboard, I can't tolerate the fumes. Tom replied cagily that he couldn't guarantee that any keyboard would be any different because, while not denying that my experience might be real, he doesn't know of the problem existing, so he can't tell me where it doesn't exist. Words to that effect.
Apple is willing, with suitable documentation from an authorized Mac dealer or repair person that there is in fact an odor, to refund or replace the products. Rather insultingly, Tom said at one point, as if to imply Apple didn't owe me much, "Well you've had quite a number of these already." Yes... I paid for them with my own money! Anyway the cost of keyboards is the very least of my concerns, and always was. Was Tom confusing me with some other customer with a similar complaint? But I thought he hadn't encountered this complaint before.
I stupidly lived with this series of toxic keyboards for all these months, being literally sickened by them. One reason I toughed it out this long is that I'd read the earlier posts in this thread and I took heart from some who said that the offgassing eventually stopped. On the contrary, I feel the fumes have just become more and more acrid and more irritating, though of course it's possible I've been injured by them and am now more sensitive.
I'm typing this on a third-party keyboard--at last! My respiratory passages have felt quite severely irritated every time I've sat at one of these keyboards for more than a few minutes. I've felt it both in the nasal passages and deep in the chest. My eyes have burned. Sometimes I've had thick, recalcitrant mucus in my nasal passages and throat. The irritation does not subside quickly. It takes hours. I guess the Macbooks are a concern too, from what I read here. That's too bad, my husband has one of those.
I only hope I haven't set myself up for some chronic illness or worse during these months of exposure. Leukemia doesn't sound too good--I must go back and read that French article with more care. Given the number of people using these products, I think we have a real public health hazard, and one that, if there are going to start being major medical claims, could be a terrible financial blow to the company. I've used--and loved--Mac computers since the beginning of time. I hope they are taking this problem very seriously and that, if it's necessary to safeguard the health of its users and the financial health of the company, they'll recall the products and replace them with safe ones.
I've gotten the same stonewalling at Apple others have mentioned. My complaint is the "first" the gentleman I've been talking to, Tom, Senior Product Specialist, has heard of any such problem. I already said to him weeks ago that if you Google under "Apple keyboard smell" there are some 275,000 entries. Yet yesterday he again said he hadn't heard of this issue. My position has been that I don't even (necessarily) want a refund or replacement through ordinary channels, more than anything I want information: where might I obtain a like keyboard that doesn't have this chemical (which I imagine is a lubricant) inside? For instance do different plants manufacture them, and if so, do some produce clean ones? I like the keyboard, I can't tolerate the fumes. Tom replied cagily that he couldn't guarantee that any keyboard would be any different because, while not denying that my experience might be real, he doesn't know of the problem existing, so he can't tell me where it doesn't exist. Words to that effect.
Apple is willing, with suitable documentation from an authorized Mac dealer or repair person that there is in fact an odor, to refund or replace the products. Rather insultingly, Tom said at one point, as if to imply Apple didn't owe me much, "Well you've had quite a number of these already." Yes... I paid for them with my own money! Anyway the cost of keyboards is the very least of my concerns, and always was. Was Tom confusing me with some other customer with a similar complaint? But I thought he hadn't encountered this complaint before.
I stupidly lived with this series of toxic keyboards for all these months, being literally sickened by them. One reason I toughed it out this long is that I'd read the earlier posts in this thread and I took heart from some who said that the offgassing eventually stopped. On the contrary, I feel the fumes have just become more and more acrid and more irritating, though of course it's possible I've been injured by them and am now more sensitive.
I'm typing this on a third-party keyboard--at last! My respiratory passages have felt quite severely irritated every time I've sat at one of these keyboards for more than a few minutes. I've felt it both in the nasal passages and deep in the chest. My eyes have burned. Sometimes I've had thick, recalcitrant mucus in my nasal passages and throat. The irritation does not subside quickly. It takes hours. I guess the Macbooks are a concern too, from what I read here. That's too bad, my husband has one of those.
I only hope I haven't set myself up for some chronic illness or worse during these months of exposure. Leukemia doesn't sound too good--I must go back and read that French article with more care. Given the number of people using these products, I think we have a real public health hazard, and one that, if there are going to start being major medical claims, could be a terrible financial blow to the company. I've used--and loved--Mac computers since the beginning of time. I hope they are taking this problem very seriously and that, if it's necessary to safeguard the health of its users and the financial health of the company, they'll recall the products and replace them with safe ones.
Wow can I relate to this! I don't know if you read my story but I was unable to use any of my aluminum keyboards for a good year and I used a spray on it consistently to help alleviate the smell. The smell was down after one year but it took another 6 months before I didn't notice it anymore so that makes it 1 1/2 years. You've only had yours since June....
And of course I was told this was the first time they had heard of such a thing. It's maddening. Apple should listen to it's consumers and not try to make us doubt ourselves.
I'll give a bit of an ironic post script, however. The third-party keyboard that I've now used for less than a day has a small-scale version of the same odor. It's an Icekey, by Macally. It isn't nearly as irritating--I felt myself healing as the evening went on--but I do smell echoes of that odor. But this keyboard is made in China also, and "Macally" is, as the name suggests, closely allied with Apple, and this keyboard might well use some of the same materials as the Mac keyboards.
Ah... The Apple smell. We've come across this before on the iPhone. One OP had everyone sniffing their iPhones !All Apple products smell like this when you get them, then it starts to wear off.
Sometimes when you stick your nose in the ports, you can still get a whiff of the intoxicating aroma
well, if it actually cases dizziness then you should call apple and ask them to replace it because it may be a health risk.
That's what I use too. I've used the Macally Icekey for my macs for years. It does outgas and I find it a lot lot lot less toxic than the aluminum apple ones.
Have any of you reported this to Apple?
The Apple guy I spoke to on the phone, as well as the very nice man at the Apple store when I returned it, both said they hadn't had any complaints. Have any of you here reported this in any "official" way ... like writing to Apple? It's not a matter of replacing it. I looked at the others at the store and they're all made in China. Not that China COULDN'T make a non-toxic keyboard ...
The Apple guy I spoke to on the phone, as well as the very nice man at the Apple store when I returned it, both said they hadn't had any complaints. Have any of you here reported this in any "official" way ... like writing to Apple? It's not a matter of replacing it. I looked at the others at the store and they're all made in China. Not that China COULDN'T make a non-toxic keyboard ...
I haven't reported it in as official a way as you have in mind, and that would probably be a good idea, but I have certainly reported it. I might look into where else to report it more officially, but if anyone has any thoughts about this, I'd love to hear them.
I have a few new tidbits of information. First, the Macally keyboard went pretty rotten on me pretty fast; the odor was perhaps less strong than on the Mac ones, but not by much, and the fumes affected me in similar ways. Back that one went to the store too. But finally I've found what I need: Logitech DiNovo keyboards, normally twice the price of the Mac ones, but available at least at the moment from MacMall for less. I've used them day and night for a few days now, two different ones, and, hallelujah, they're just fine. Made in China (of course!). There's the tiniest hint of a fragrance from these babies too, but so far it's pleasant and totally non-irritating. They smell a bit like baby powder.
I happened to speak about this issue with a very environmentally aware computer programmer today (non-Mac), who was astonished to hear of it. He has seen what's inside keyboards, and he says they absolutely don't use lubricants in the manufacture, and the electrical parts do not generate enough heat to burn anything. There are often rubber parts that cushion the taps of the keys, but they don't heat up. All he can imagine is that at the point of electrical contact there's an unsavory material that reacts in some way. FWIW.
I made a brief stab at contacting someone--anyone--in the field of environmental toxicology at Cornell University, here where I live. Apparently my open letter didn't catch anyone's attention: this was weeks ago, and nobody has replied. I'm not that keen to "out" Apple, and I don't know that other brands don't have their own related issues, but darn, I wish if this is a general health hazard, it were being addressed. It could of course be individuals' sensitivities or allergies and not a general hazard. The French article, which does speak to a general problem, isn't about keyboards, it's about other products.
I have a few new tidbits of information. First, the Macally keyboard went pretty rotten on me pretty fast; the odor was perhaps less strong than on the Mac ones, but not by much, and the fumes affected me in similar ways. Back that one went to the store too. But finally I've found what I need: Logitech DiNovo keyboards, normally twice the price of the Mac ones, but available at least at the moment from MacMall for less. I've used them day and night for a few days now, two different ones, and, hallelujah, they're just fine. Made in China (of course!). There's the tiniest hint of a fragrance from these babies too, but so far it's pleasant and totally non-irritating. They smell a bit like baby powder.
I happened to speak about this issue with a very environmentally aware computer programmer today (non-Mac), who was astonished to hear of it. He has seen what's inside keyboards, and he says they absolutely don't use lubricants in the manufacture, and the electrical parts do not generate enough heat to burn anything. There are often rubber parts that cushion the taps of the keys, but they don't heat up. All he can imagine is that at the point of electrical contact there's an unsavory material that reacts in some way. FWIW.
I made a brief stab at contacting someone--anyone--in the field of environmental toxicology at Cornell University, here where I live. Apparently my open letter didn't catch anyone's attention: this was weeks ago, and nobody has replied. I'm not that keen to "out" Apple, and I don't know that other brands don't have their own related issues, but darn, I wish if this is a general health hazard, it were being addressed. It could of course be individuals' sensitivities or allergies and not a general hazard. The French article, which does speak to a general problem, isn't about keyboards, it's about other products.
Sad follow-up: the new Logitech is now, a few days later, giving off the same smells and causing the same irritation as the others. I'm sitting at the keyboard with a mask on, not knowing whether this will help at all. Is there no Mac-compatible keyboard made of other materials, constructed in some other way? And would I be any better off with a PC?
Amazing suggestion by Apple Engineers
I just received a phone call from a man from Apple who told me last week that he had spoken to the engineers (unwillingly, I might add) about my case, and their suggestion was that I get myself tested for aluminum allergy.
I don't remember how I got connected with him in the first place, but his demeanor and delivery was extremely & annoyingly unprofessional and seems very unlike Apple. Weird.
Anyway, he said again that my keyboard complaint is the first such complaint they've had at Apple. Never heard of the problem before! No way, Jose!
Amazing.
I just received a phone call from a man from Apple who told me last week that he had spoken to the engineers (unwillingly, I might add) about my case, and their suggestion was that I get myself tested for aluminum allergy.
I don't remember how I got connected with him in the first place, but his demeanor and delivery was extremely & annoyingly unprofessional and seems very unlike Apple. Weird.
Anyway, he said again that my keyboard complaint is the first such complaint they've had at Apple. Never heard of the problem before! No way, Jose!
Amazing.
What in the world!?
I could smell the "Apple" scent when I opened the box for my new iMac, but unless I put my nose to the keyboard, I cannot smell anything. I have a pretty good sense of smell too. I would also guess that anyone who is overwhelmed by the keyboard smell would have an allergy.
I could smell the "Apple" scent when I opened the box for my new iMac, but unless I put my nose to the keyboard, I cannot smell anything. I have a pretty good sense of smell too. I would also guess that anyone who is overwhelmed by the keyboard smell would have an allergy.
a little more on chemicals
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/2006/09/hp_laptops_more_toxic_than_the.html
By the way, there is no "Apple smell" as if that were a pleasant benign thing. We are talking dangerous volatile chemicals that are dangerous to one's health.
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/makingwaves/archives/2006/09/hp_laptops_more_toxic_than_the.html
By the way, there is no "Apple smell" as if that were a pleasant benign thing. We are talking dangerous volatile chemicals that are dangerous to one's health.