why cell phones are banned from using at petrol pumps?

Answer 1

Because of the static charge (or so they say). Gas is highly flammable and a static charge could ignite it. Also if you get into your vehicle while pumping it is a good idea to touch metal before handling the pump.

Answer 2

There is a fear that the electronics in the cell phone might cause a spark that might ignite gasoline vapor and cause a fire. I do not believe there is any chance of that. There have been fires started by static electricity, but that is totally different. You start pumping gas and then go back to the car seat for some reason, When you return to the pump and touch the metal, you can get a static spark, especially on a low humidity day, and that has started fires in the past. But a cell phone sparking? When was the last time that happened? Like, never!

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

There have been a few cases where explosions have occurred during fueling of vehicles and cell phone use, specifically the electromagnetic and static charge of the phone may have ignited gas fumes. I find it highly unlikely that a cellphone generated the 400 plus degrees needed to ignite gasoline but a big enough static charge and the spark generated by it, in the right conditions may be enough. It is much easier to believe that the reaction was between the person and the car, with nothing to do with the phone except that the person happened to be using one at the time.

Answer 5

The "logic" is that if the cell phone heats up or if there is a spark (it does not have to be a big visible spark) in the contacts (the really antique cellphones did have them) the fumes at the pump may be ignited and cause an incident. Most cellphones today are manufactured to ensure there are no sparks even when use them. So nothing much to worry, however, you cant be sure especailly if you ahve been mistreating your phone. ;-)

Answer 6

It is thought that the phone may cause gasoline vapors to explode. However experiments done by the television program "Mythbusters" could not get the gas to explode under the most favorable conditions for explosion!

Static electricity from people getting back into their cars while pumping gas is thought to be the real cause of at the pump explosions.

Answer 7

while a person is talking on cell phone certain waves are emited which supports ignition.the other reason which i read in a magzine was these days it's used as remote control of many dainamites fitted in some places.so it has been banned infront of a petrol pump.

Answer 8

Because people (including some who have posted answers to this question) are stupid enough to believe that a spark can ignite gasoline fumes.

1. Cell phones do not spark
2. Sparks cannot ignite gasoline (except in Hollywood where cigarettes and sparks magically ignite gas fumes

The short answer is that most politicians and policy makers are amazingly stupid.

Answer 9

There is no scientific reason to ban their use. Some politician got a law passed that was not scientifically based. Mythbusters on TV ran experiments with gasolene and cell phones and no matter what they did, they could get anything to burn or explode.

Answer 10

"The Shell Oil Company recently issued a warning after three incidents in which mobile phones (cell phones) ignited fumes during fueling operations.

In the first case, the phone was placed on the car's trunk lid during fueling; it rang and the ensuing fire destroyed the car and the gasoline pump.

In the second, an individual suffered severe burns to their face when fumes ignited as they answered a call while refueling their car.

And in the third, an individual suffered burns to the thigh and groin as fumes ignited when the phone, which was in their pocket, rang while they were fueling their car."