Mobile telephones pose a risk of explosion at service stations

ANN ARBOR—Reports from Southeast Asia and Europe of explosions at gasoline stations connected with the use of mobile telephones have led the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue a warning to switch off the phones when filling up.

According to DPS Sgt. Duane Lee, U-M fire inspector, the threat mobile phones pose to gas stations and their users is largely due to the device’s ability to produce sparks. “The high-powered battery inside the phones can generate these sparks. Also, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the phones are more than sufficient to create static electricity that heats the surrounding air. If the flammable vapor from refueling is concentrated enough, an explosion may occur,” Lee said.

Lee urges users of any transmitting device, including mobile telephones and some two-way radios, to switch them off near gas stations and any other location housing flammable substances.

Questions can be directed to Sgt. Lee or to Robert Patrick, associate director, DPS at (734) 763-3434.

(A-3)
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Department of Public Safetyhttp://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/U-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan