-first, and it is important, it was only a qualitative analysis, as a quantitative analysis could not be carried out. So, the goal was to identify the compound and not determine their concentration.
- They used 2 passive sensor located in the air flow of the cooling system of the Mac Pro over a period of 8 days.
- Samples have been analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
- 7 independent chemical compounds have been identified without any doubt:
Propanal (CAS123386)All those compounds are known to be toxic, at variable dosing. MSDS sheets are available on http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/
Benzene, (1-methylethenyl)- (CAS98839)
Ethanone, 1-phenyl- (CAS98862)
1,3-Isobenzofurandione (CAS85449)
Benzene, 1,4-dinitro- (CAS100254) ou Benzene, 1,3-dinitro- (CAS99650)
2-Propanone (CAS67641)
Acetic acid (CAS64197)
So, what to think about? It remains difficult to provide a clear answer as the analysis was only qualitative. However, the report has been sent on January 2008, and the news only leaked 8 months later, so one can question why so late, and why now and not earlier? Without a quantitative analysis it remains impossible to define if chemical concentrations remained in the non-harmful/lethal dose interval, but it is in all cases unacceptable as the concentration was high enough to have effects of users (irritations, coughing, nausea, etc.). Of course, one would also miss a counter-analysis to demonstrate if the problem is coming from computer or if chemicals could have been introduced later on.
So, what to do? Well, it is clear there are most likely no western companies that will release consciously on the market a product hosting dangerous and toxic compounds, as the impact on its image would then be terrible and most likely bring it on its knees. Recent news have shown us that Apple called back USB power adaptors due to a manufacturing defect. Of course the recent baby milk scandal in China shows us that different country, different regulation, different behaviors, but same result, the company involved is dead. So, if Apple did not call back all Mac Pro, it probably indicates that it is not a general issue, and most likely remains isolated, however if you have a Mac Pro and have a doubt, do not hesitate to contact Apple.
However, just to demonstrate that so far identified cases are not only originating from France, hereafter is a report, posted on our forum:
Last year myself and two colleagues bought a Mac pro each. Their machines were fine. Mine was not. It heats up and begins to smell. Its a stink that resembles bad body odour mixed with melted plastics. (No it's not me, I checked.) Applecare providers have spent time on it and agree that the smell comes form the heatsinks on the motherboard. Could be also the RAM heatsinks. We tried replacing the thermal paste around the heatsinks, but the smell is still there. For the skeptics who have not experienced this problem, it must sound like oversensitivity. It isn't. This is not a "new car" or "new electronics" smell. It's an unpleasant and worrying problem. It's an issue that will come back to Apple and bite them if they continue to avoid it... and avoid it they continue to do. It's extremely unhappy news that the particulates in the vapour have been identifies as known toxins. I have spent a year in a small editing room with mine and not only is it unpleasant for me and my clients, but it could be slowly poisoning us as well.
Mac users are loyal customers. Apple should look after us a whole lot better and find a way of fixing this whole thing rather than fobbing us off. (and there are quite a few threads on this topic out there)
Drops us a line if you also own one of those strange Mac Pro, please provide as much information as possible (model, serial number, location, country).
