Posted by Hollywood Lonnie on Friday, March 26, 2004 at 6:03PM :
In Reply to: Be sure to ground yourself at the gas pump! posted by Todd Wilson on Friday, March 26, 2004 at 4:11PM :
The Mythbusters program on discovery channel just covered this. There was a myth that talking on a cell phone was causing a rash of these gas pump fires. After testing they found out that these fires as caused by women 80% of the time and cell phones were not the cause. Women are more likely to get back in the car after starting the gas nozzle. Then, when they get back out, a static charge developes from their clothing against the upolstery. Younger women are the most likely to cause this because older women usually grab the door frame when exiting the car thus discharging the potential sparc. I would recomend mythbusters. Cool program.
Best Wishes
Lonnie
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