Mobile phones could cause an explosion while refueling, which is why calling is prohibited at many gas stations. But can a cell phone create a spark that ignites gasoline?
Many petrol pumps have warning signs forbidding the use of mobile phones while refueling. The reason the signs ever got there was because cell phones were supposed to have enough energy to create a spark. This, in combination with the gases from highly flammable gasoline, could cause a fire, resulting in serious, even life-threatening injuries.
mythbusters
“However, we have never been able to trace incidents to the use of the mobile phone while refueling,” the Petroleum Equipment Institute said. USA Today† In fact, many researchers have tried to ignite fuel vapors with a mobile phone, but have never succeeded. Also on the show’mythbustersIt has been tried in vain and the US Federal Trade Commission also says it is impossible.
There is no law that prohibits calling while refueling
Nevertheless, the possibility of an explosion does theoretically exist, according to Paul de Waal, spokesperson for Bovag, the branch organization of, among other things, the gas stations. “I don’t think there is a law in the Netherlands that prohibits this, so you can’t be fined for it. The danger is purely theoretical because it has never happened in practice, and we’d like to keep it that way. Why would you take the risk? When you fill up your car, you have to pay attention, so just don’t do it.”
Old phones more risk
“The risk is very, very low,” said Michael Marando, staffer of the US National Fire Protection Association. But I can’t say the risk is completely zero because there could be a one in a few billion chance that it could happen.” In the Netherlands, too, incidents have never been reported that can be traced back to the use of the telephone while refueling. The prohibition stickers that are still used at many gas stations are said to date from the early days of the mobile phone. Back then, the batteries were much larger and there was a risk that sparks would form, for example if the phone was dropped.
Shell: ‘Calling creates a distraction while refueling’
According to Shell, despite the minuscule danger that your mobile phone causes a fire, it is still unwise to use your phone while refueling, even if you cannot be fined for it. “The use of a mobile phone is distracting,” says a spokesperson. “That’s why it is not allowed at our gas stations to use it while refueling, for your own safety and that of others.”
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