We have all read the signs and heard the stories about mobile phones causing fires at petrol stations. One of the most widespread myths is the danger of using mobile phones at service stations. What does science have to say about the real risk of explosions or fires caused by their use?

The use of mobile phones is prohibited at petrol pumps as it represents a potential source of ignition to the flammable vapors which may be present in the atmosphere at retail outlets (petrol pumps). Let us know the actual thing happens if we use a mobile phone in petrol bunks in detail.

Is It Really Dangerous To Use Mobile Phones In Petrol Bunks?

Accordingly, the government of India has banned the use of mobile phones at petrol pumps since June 27, 2002. The manufacturers/ service providers of cellular phones also advise users to keep mobile phones in the ”off mode” at petrol pumps.

Petrol station fires are very rare, and nearly all are caused by sparks from static electricity igniting petrol vapor. This requires just the right mix of air and vapor, which is much less likely to occur now that pumps have vapor recovery systems installed.

There are independent, authentic study reports published by American Petroleum Institute, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association all of them saying they could never find a cell phone ever causing a fire. Almost all the reported petrol station fires have been caused by static electricity (similar to what happens in clouds in thunderstorms).

But, the fear is that the electromagnetic (EM) radiation from a mobile phone could impart enough energy to ignite petrol vapor directly or that it could induce currents in nearby metal objects and trigger a spark with the same effect. But a study found that in 243 petrol station fires around the world between 1994 and 2005, none were caused by mobile phones. In fact, there isn’t a single confirmed case of this ever happening.

Paytm At Petrol Bunks:

Due to demonetization, mobile phones, banned as ‘dangerous’ at petrol bunks, are now an accepted mode of payment for fuel. There are still boards at the petrol bunks, stating mobile phones can cause sparks, leading to the fire. The government is now encouraging online valet apps but is not concerned about safety norm.

According to a report from the Petroleum Equipment Institute, there are no documented incidents at petrol stations related to fires or explosions caused by the use of mobile phones.

Phones should be in switch-off mode while filling or pouring fuel. As vehicles have fuel tanks near the seats, the possibility of fire is doubled. If the phone falls down and the people nearby are wearing polyester or polyethene clothes, the possibility of fire is high.

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