2006-06-14 10:22:35 · 13 answers · asked by mercedes nyc 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Because of an urban myth that a cell phone could cause a spark and ignite the fuel fumes. This is an URBAN MYTH that a lot of gas companies and politicians believed- or at least, they belived it enough that they did not want to take the risk due to liability. But its definately an urban myth, and a well known one at that- cell phones dont "spark" and it has been proven that they will not ignite fumes multiple times in laboratory testing.
2006-06-14 10:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by bmwdriver11 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a theory out there that your cell phone can put off a static charge when it rings or when you use it and that charge can ingnite gas fumes. I've also heard that that is bunk. I prefer not to take chances so I just don't use my phone when I'm pumping gas. I leave it in the car. Also, you should touch the metal of your car door as you get out before you begin to pump gas for the same reason. This grounds you and allows static built up on you and/or your clothes to be released before you touch the pump handle.
2006-06-14 10:30:27 · answer #2 · answered by Peaches 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was believed that cellphones signals could create a spark and ignite the fumes that are being emitted while one pumps gas (the fumes is what you smell and they are flamable).
This is not true. What was happening was that people would set their pumps to dispense automatically get in a vehicle and wait for it to fill up (reasonable right?). People would then come out and remove the pump from their vehicles not realizing that rubbing up against their seats and floor rugs (both carpet or carpet like material) would create a static charge in their bodies and would be set off by the metal of he pump or car when they would reach out to remove the pump (kind of like when you go to open your lockerat school and get shocked during the winter time).
So that's why they say don't use your phones. It's not true. Their signals don't create a spark for the fumes to ignite.
2006-06-14 10:34:03 · answer #3 · answered by DOMINICANLUE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talking on your cellphone and pumping gas will "supposedly" start a big fire, via some radio frequency waves hitting the gas. I don't believe that it is true. Also if yo watch the Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, they tested it out and it was proven wrong.
2006-06-14 10:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by Jon J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because someone spread the rumor that the phone's antenna discharges static electricity and the enough of a spark will ignite gasoline. Suggestion....touch something metal after you get out of your car when you live in a low humidity climate thereby grounding yourself......then pump the gas
2006-06-14 10:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by Absolute Genius 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably something stupid like studies show cell phone use at the gas pump is a cause of cancer!
2006-06-14 10:29:02 · answer #6 · answered by foxi_brown_eyes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can, the reason that the static will cause a fire is a myth, but if you get back in your vehicle you should touch the metal part of your car before touching the gas nozzle because of static discharge...
2006-06-14 10:27:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possible electric shock could cause an explosion with the gas vapors
2006-06-14 10:26:53 · answer #8 · answered by Pizzaguy913 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Politicians are usually not engineers. So a few morons got excited about something that they saw as potentially dangerous and started their "What about the children" nonsense and now it's illegal.
2006-06-14 10:33:21 · answer #9 · answered by Grrraarrr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a chance of fire from the phone 3 knowen cases
2006-06-14 10:26:03 · answer #10 · answered by bullticky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋