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Cell Phone Myths Explained 2
Cell phones can cause gas station fires.
Myth: While pumping gas, using or turning on your phone can release a charge of static electricity that will ignite the fuel.
True or false? False. This rumor dates back to the '90, when a phony e-mail made the rounds of people's in-boxes around the world. The e-mail claimed that Shell Oil had issued a warning about three instances of cell phones causing fires at the pumps. When contacted about it in 2003, Shell claimed it was a complete hoax and that it wasn't aware of any such incidents. While it has been proved that static electricity can cause fuel vapors to combust, cell phones do not emit a strong enough amount to ignite anything. Smoking, however, will still cause problems.
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Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsdianneMar 15th 2008 11:49PM
Then why do so many gas pumps have the warning not to use your cell phone while pumping gas? Do you expect me to believe they based this on an urban myth. This writer isn't worth whatever they're being paid.
JoshMar 16th 2008 1:50PM
It's called liability, dumbass. If there's even the slightest chance of something happening that they could be sued for, it's warned about.
TheresaMar 16th 2008 7:55PM
On the television show "Myth Busters" they put this to the test and it is not true. They did prove that static electricity could cause a spark and cause a fire. So if you slide out of your seat when you get out of the car be sure to "ground" yourself before grabbing the pump.
KevinMar 23rd 2008 12:23PM
In oil refineries and on board oil tankers (ships) all electronic / electrical devices must be manufactured to Intrinsically Safe standards. This means that they are sealed against leakage of gases so that an explosive mixture cannot be ignited by a spark.
Next time you are in a gas station take a look at the lighting fixtures located near to the gas pumps. They are all rated as being Explosion Proof. Why go to all this trouble and expense to provide safety in these facilities to have people showing up with cell phone or, even worse, lit cigarettes?
William BrabantJun 11th 2008 3:05PM
The iphone because of the slider switch has a specific warning
against use in explosive atmospheres.