Can You Use Mobile Phones at Gas Stations?
4 Answers
Mobile phones cannot be used at gas stations because using them may cause explosions. Mobile phones are wireless communication devices, and the radio waves (radio frequency electromagnetic radiation) emitted by their transmitters can induce radio frequency currents in receiving antennas. When these currents circulate between metal conductors, they can generate radio frequency sparks if there is rust or poor contact. Precautions at gas stations: 1. No smoking: The prohibition of open flames is a common warning seen everywhere at gas stations. For those who have the habit of lighting a cigarette while parked, this habit must not be brought to gas stations. Because during refueling, the concentration of gasoline in the unit space increases, and any open flame could potentially ignite the gasoline. 2. Turn off the engine while refueling: It is widely known that the engine should be turned off during refueling, and gas station staff will usually remind drivers to do so. However, at some self-service or smaller gas stations, instances of refueling without turning off the engine have been observed.
The other day at the gas station, I saw someone watching short videos on their phone, and the staff immediately came over to stop them. Actually, it's a strict rule that mobile phones are prohibited at gas stations, mainly because phone signals can interfere with equipment, and dialing might even produce small sparks. Last week's news reported a fire accident at a gas station in another city caused by a mobile phone, which was really scary to hear about. Let's not take out our phones near the fuel pumps; it's much safer to pay with a physical card or scan the QR code in advance and only turn on the phone after walking to the convenience store entrance. If there's an urgent call you must take, make sure to stay at least 30 meters away from the fuel dispenser for safety.
My cousin who works at a gas station keeps nagging about this: mobile phones at gas stations are like ticking time bombs. It's not that they will definitely explode, but mainly because the concentration of oil vapor near the fuel dispensers is high. The momentary current when a phone connects or static electricity during a call could ignite it. Once, a customer insisted on having a video conference in the car, and suddenly the equipment alarm went off, terrifying everyone on site. The risk is especially higher during the hot summer. Safety regulations say turning off the phone is the safest, and if you really need to make an emergency call, you should go to the greenbelt area outside the station.
From a physical perspective, the electromagnetic wave frequency of mobile phones ranges between 800-2500 MHz, while gas station equipment operates at mere tens of kilohertz—interference is actually uncommon. The real danger zone lies in the current spikes during dialing: traditional keypad phones generate 3 volts, while smartphones can even produce an 8mm arc. Especially when the fuel vapor concentration reaches the explosive range of 1.4%-7.6%, an instantaneous spark becomes the disaster trigger. So don’t believe claims like 'airplane mode is enough'—powering off is the only 100% safe move.
