Could a cell phone have caused the deadly fireworks explosion in Florida?

Investigators believe that the deadly fireworks explosion in southwest Florida a week ago which killed 5 people, was an accidental explosion, and are considering several possible causes, including static electricity, cell phones, two-way radios or lit cigarettes. According to Carlos Baixauli, spokesman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, interviewed in the Sun Sentinel: "It's going to be a couple of weeks before we release anything. It's going to take awhile. It's possible we'll never know.''

This brings to mind the risk of cell phones explosing gas pumps in filling stations. A warning initially spread by an e-mail claiming it was from Shell Oil Co but quickly dismissed as an urban legend. But mobile phone manufacturers have warned consumers in the past against using the devices near gas pumps, cf an excerpt from a Motorola brochure and an article in CNN on Exxon's sending out a written warning to it's 8'500 gas stations in 1999.

The official stand though is that it's not dangerous. According to Statement on the Alleged Dangers of Cell Phone Use at Gas Stations" target="_blank">Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association's Statement on the Alleged Dangers of Cell Phone Use at Gas Stations, "wireless phones at gas stations have not been scientifically or technically proven as potential danger at gas stations.

emily | 5:57 PM | Spam, Viruses and Hoaxes |
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