Dema

I just noticed the warning, cancer and birth defects. I have MBTex so I am wondering if leather owners have the same warning. At least no plans for new kids until I get rid of the E350.

JoeVal

The main danger from a car are fumes that can be emitted under faulty conditions or when things like seats and coverings incinerate. Children when babies are kept in their seats, while afterward they would not tend to bite on plastics unless they would come in tempting shapes.

Stay with your family plans, don't get scared, the MB is as safe as any car, or a crib mattress for that matter.

220S

I bought two new MBs in CA and both had the warning sticker. Both cars were leather, not MBTex.

I know that the airbags contain perchlorate. Also there's probably some naughty stuff in the COMAND screen. And naughty stuff in other parts of the motor, chassis, electronics.

I'm not sure if that sticker comes on cars sold outside of CA. If you notice, most public buildings in CA have a warning sticker, too.

Just don't eat any part of your car, and I'm sure you'll be okay. If I'm wrong, then you probably won't even be able to have any new kids after driving around in it for a few years.

mg-E550

You still need to get rid of the Benz because it has no compartment for your tin-foil hat.

Dema

Next generation of Benz may have the compartment, at least if Benz wants to keep profit it should be added.

pmb600

This must be a California thing, I've never seen that out here on the East Coast.

steelgrey

Excellent reply....very funny!!!

chokaay

It's not only required for public buildings... it's required for many private businesses and residential areas too. In fact, I don't think I've ever entered a building in CA that didn't have this warning posted somewhere:

http://universityglencorp.csuci.edu/...20Brochure.pdf

IMHO, it's a good idea to warn the public about what potentially can be harmful to them... but once you get used to seeing the warning labels on every single building you enter, the effectiveness wears off significantly.

chokaay

It's not only the fumes emitted under faulty conditions... it's also fumes from the seats and dashboard when the car is kept outside in the sun and heat for extended periods of time... or even in a shady cool areas:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/aut...ene_in_car.htm

Even though the level of toxic fumes vary depending on the conditions and length of time (and may or may not get up to the concentration required to be "toxic"), I imagine as with everything else in CA (and the U.S.), manufacturers don't want to risk a lawsuit in the future (no matter how frivolous) and opt to cover their tracks with warning labels.

I know for the business I work with, we were advised to put warning labels on all products we ship out that they are specifically for OEM use and may be heavy (in case a warehouse worker or a thief gets injured trying to lift a 300 lbs 4' x 4' x 2' wooden crate by himself instead of with a forklift or pallet truck and sues us). Human stupidity (or should I say idiocy) knows no bounds...