Bill, I don't know or claim that it is not a problem. I merely pointed
out that millions of VWs including most Vanagons vent the battery into
the passenger compartment. This leads me to believe that the extra
sealing and venting provided in Westys is there for a reason other than
toxicity. My guess is that the Westy is built to comply with some fire
code or certification that applies to vehicles used as living space.
Various stickers and labels on them indicate compliance with something
or other. Plenty of Vanagons were sold with the Weekender package and
these vent into the passenger compartment inspite of the intended use of
the fold out bed.

Mark

Bill Davidson wrote:
>
> The battery itself contains toxic materials, no
> > doubt. If the batteries are giving off "highly toxic" gases, why is this
> > not a problem in all the other VWs?
> >
>
> Mark,
> How do you know it's not a problem... an unrecognized problem?
> For instance, more than 70 million Americans suffer from migraines...
> Many millions are beginning to recognize something called chemical
> sensitivity... Just a whiff of exhaust gives me a migraine for three days...
> these things can't be good for you and the effects of toxics are cumulative
> on your liver... You don't have to keel over in 5 minutes for it to be a
> problem.
> Bill