On 17 Mar 2004 12:02:15 -0800, John Michael Williams wrote:

Claims that people have started fires by using
their cell phone while refueling a car apparently
are false: See
http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
and other sites.

There was discussion of this and bad electric fuel pump designs last
year, but I don't recall anyone testing it out.

snip

So, I think sliding over on a car seat, and thus generating a
possible static charge, would be more likely to ignite gasoline
vapor than talking on a cell phone while refueling.

It is more likely and there's a gas station here that has a memo to
that effect (static - mainly in winter) posted where the customers
can *not* see it, duh! No signs on the pumps... The memo says you
should shock yourself on the car befor going to the pump. No one
thought about the vapor from the car on the other side of the
island.

However, it
would be useful for someone to repeat this kind of test with an
actual cell phone, as opposed to a CB radio. The wires should
be shorter, for one thing . . ..

I'm cross posting to an antenna group, looking for criticism.

John

John Michael Williams


--
Best Regards,
Mike