As long as we are
discussing cell phones, might as well dispel another myth. A
popular myth hanging around since at least 1999 is that explosions
in gas stations have been caused by cellphone use. Emails were
purported to have been sent by Shell Oil and others, but this was
proved false.
There never has been a documented case of a cellphone causing an
explosion at a gas station, no one has been able to prove that it
is even possible in scientific testing. The American Petroleum
Institute said, "We can find no evidence of someone using a
cellphone causing any kind of accident, no matter how small, at a
gas station anywhere in the world." Mythbusters TV program tried
and could not find a way to make it happen.
Police and firefighters often assume a connection between the two
to be valid, but have never followed up with proof. The city of
Cicero, Illinois (with no evidence to back it up) has made the use
of cellphones at gas stations illegal. So, is it possible, yes
it is possible, but it has not happened yet with over five
billion phones in use.