Cellphones do not cause petrol
station fires


Is it true that if you use a cell phone while
filling up a car at a gas station,
it could
trigger a fire or explosion?


Researchers at
the Center for the Study of Wireless
Electromagnetic Compatibility at the
University of Oklahoma say there is virtually
no evidence to suggest that cell phones
pose a hazard at gas stations.




The Oklahoma EMC Center, which recently
presented its findings at a technical seminar,
sponsored by The Institute of Petroleum in
London, reported that there has never been
a confirmed incident implicating a cell
phone at a gas station anywhere in the
world.



The seminar was arranged to discuss
the results of scientific research and
investigations into this issue.


"Our study was first initiated in 1999 to
examine reports that cell phones posed a
hazard near gas pumps, define and
investigate the extent of the problem, and
make recommendations as to what actions,


if any, should be taken," said Glenn Kuriger,
Associate Director of the EMC Center. "Our
research, as well as the consensus of other
studies presented at the London seminar,
concluded that the risk is negligible, with
virtually no evidence to even suggest a
safety hazard."



But what about all those reports circulated
in the news media and on the Internet that
cell phones had blown up gas stations?


"I guess you can file them under the Urban
Legend category," said the EMC Center's
Director, Dr. Hank Grant.
"The reported
incidents are either hoaxes or have been
incorrectly attributed to cell phones.


There
simply has never been a confirmed
incident.


"Why then do some cell phone manufacturers
print warnings in their instruction manuals
about not using these devices in areas with
"potentially explosive atmospheres" such as
gas stations?


"I can't speak for the manufacturers, but the
warnings may be the result of an outdated
United Kingdom regulation that was set
when wireless phones operated at powers
up to 20 watts, as opposed to the typical
power of 0.6 watts today," Dr. Grant
explained.



"The electromagnetic emissions
from a cell phone are just not strong
enough to ignite gas vapours.


Based on
historical evidence and expert opinion, we
believe the risk of cell phones as a source of
ignition is negligible."


www.amta.org.au/articles/amta/Cellphones.do.not.cause.petrol.station.fires

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