Myth: Cell Phones Can Cause Gas Station Explosions
You might still see those faded stickers at the pump warning you to put your phone away. This myth stems from the early days of mobile technology when phones were bulkier and there were fears that a battery spark or a high-frequency signal could ignite gasoline vapors. However, science has repeatedly debunked this. Modern smartphones do not produce enough energy or heat to cause an accidental fire at the pump.
Even high-profile investigations by researchers and television shows like “Mythbusters” failed to ignite fumes with a ringing cell phone. The real danger of using a phone while fueling is actually distraction. If you’re busy scrolling, you might overfill the tank or trip over the hose, which is a much more likely—if less explosive—hazard.
