Mobile Phone Explosions

Is it just mere urban legend that mobile phones can cause explosions in gasoline stations? Or is there any scientific explanation to back this up?

In 1999, there were rumours of a man who accidentally set himself on fire because he was using his mobile phone while pumping gas. Reports of similar incidents from different countries about wireless phones causing fires and injuring customers in petrol stations started to circulate in the Internet. It was said that mobile phones created sparks that possibly ignited flammable materials. However, many were sceptical about the truth of this hypothesis. Several investigations were conducted and most had a similar theory.

Studies show that it is potentially possible for a mobile phone's battery to cause sparks that will ignite a flammable substance, but there is no recorded incident of a gas station explosion caused by a wireless phone.

Despite the uncertainty of the stories that have spread about the petrol station and mobile phone incident, gasoline station owners have nevertheless taken precautions. Most refilling stations have posted signs indicating customers to turn off their wireless phones or any other device that can cause flammable materials to ignite. They have also provided trainings to their employees for safety measures that they should apply in pumping stations.

Another recommendation for general consumers is to check the owner's manual of their mobile phones to have the information on how to use their units and the proper guidelines to follow in gasoline stations. Even if there has been no solid evidence that wireless phones are the culprits of fire incidents in petrol stations, you are strongly advised to take the necessary precautions.

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