Cell phones are not just dangerous to use while driving, but are also a potential hazard while fueling.
The Wall Street Journal reported an incident involving a man fueling his vehicle while talking on a cellular telephone. The use of the phone supposedly ignited the gasoline vapors.
The story has sparked a frenzy not only with consumers but with petroleum marketers and cell phone companies as well.
Most students have no knowledge of the dangers of static electricity at gas pumps.
“Gas stations should make more of an effort to educate drivers about the dangers of static electricity,” sophomore CCPA major Emily Ferguson said. “Maybe they could have a sign near the pumps listing a few simple precautions that people can take.”
Mohammed Zreik, an employee at a Shell Gas Station, said he was not given any information on fueling safety when he was hired.
Motorola has taken a particular interest in investigating whether the radio transmitter of a cell phone can cause a spark by its energy reacting with bare metal, a reaction similar to that of aluminum foil in a microwave oven.
A press release from Motorola said the Center for the Study of Wireless Electromagnetic Compatibility at the University of Oklahoma found it possible for a spark from a cell phone battery to ignite gas vapors under precise conditions. However, historical evidence does not support the need for further research.
Motorola spokesman David Rudd said the reason Motorola mentioned warnings was because of the possibility that a dislodged battery could cause a spark and not because of the transmitter radio signals.
Students have heard and thought of several reasons why cell phones may be a potential hazard around gasoline pumps.
“[I heard] that the friction or radiation of the cell phone near or against the pump may cause a reaction with the vapors from the gasoline,” sophomore psychology major Kendell Coletti said.
Another origin of this cellular phone myth began on the Internet via e-mail. TruthorFiction.com said there are three cases of “eRumors” regarding cellular phone-induced accidents at the pump. Many of the cases are from Europe and the far East where laws prohibit cell phone usage at gas pumps.
According to their Web site, the Naval Safety Center has been overwhelmed with inquiries into this matter and have consulted with the National Fire Protection Association to review their concerns.
The Petroleum Equipment Institute has made a point to discharge cell phone rumors on their Web site and explain the real cause of fires at the pump, static electricity. The most common circumstances for static electricity are cool and dry weather conditions and when a motorist re-enters a vehicle during fueling. When the motorist returns to the vehicle fill pipe during or at the end of refueling, the static releases at the fill point, which in turn may cause a fire with gasoline vapors.
An article from the PEI Web site said 150 cases of static electricity fires have happened to women getting into vehicles while the nozzle was still pumping.
“The only thing I have ever heard of doing was turning the ignition off. I have never heard anything about static electricity,” sophomore advertising major Cydney Wells said.
Some safety tips to ensure safe fueling are:
