Red-faced VW faces reports of testing on monkeys and humans
Frankfurt — The world’s biggest car maker Volkswagen faced fresh scrutiny on Monday over reports it helped finance experiments that saw monkeys and humans breathe car exhaust fumes. VW "distances itself clearly from all forms of animal abuse", the group said in a statement on Saturday, after the New York Times reported that a US institute commissioned by German car companies carried out tests on 10 monkeys in 2014. But the embarrassment deepened for the group on Monday as German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported tests on the effects of inhaling toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) were also carried out on about 25 healthy human beings. In the "dieselgate" scandal, VW admitted in 2015 to manipulating about 11-million cars worldwide to fool regulatory tests, making it appear as though they met NOx emissions limits when in fact they exceeded them by many times in real on-road driving. On its website the World Health Organisation points to "growing evidence" that nitrogen dioxide exposure ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.