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1.  

   NYT

   

   Derek Kerton (profile), Jul 21st, 2003 @ 2:26am

   
   

   Hmmm. Given the lack of fact-checking I though this would be one of the stories that required a subscription to the New York Times online to be able to read!

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2.  

   its not true

   

   chris, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 2:26am

   
   

   many tests have been conducted and all have been proved wrong. Its the static from your hands. See if you get static from your seat and touch the top of your car it discharges; if you dont and reach for the gas pump it can blow.

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3.  

   How about exploding batteries?

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 5:03am

   
   

   The metal hydrides used in cell phone batteries are pretty nasty chemicals that can turn people's faces into pizza.
   

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4.  

   No Subject Given

   

   CHIA GARCIA, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 8:08am

   
   

   True, theoretically if a spark were released from a cell phone and it lasted long enough to hit a puddle of gas on the ground (usually about six feet) then maybe. Cell phones have been around for going on three decades and this hasn't happened once.

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5.  

   Re: No Subject Given

   

   Oliver Wendell Jones, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 8:18am

   
   

   Actually, the hoax describes that if you have your phone clipped at your waist, it's right about the same height as the fuel hole on most large vehicles, and there are always gas fumes emitted from around that while you're filling the tank, so if those fumes get inside the phone and it rings, Kablooie.
   
   And then monkeys fly out of your butt.
   
   Hey, it could happen.

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6.  

   Re: No Subject Given

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 8:25am

   
   

   The issue isn't whether it is possible, or even probable, the issue is that a newspaper reported rumors as facts, although they did not happen.
   
   Just another example of a (fill in blank - corrupt, lazy, ignortant, biased, all of the above) press.

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7.  

   Re: No Subject Given

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 8:32am

   
   

   Actually, the hoax describes that if you have your phone clipped at your waist, it's right about the same height as the fuel hole on most large vehicles, and there are always gas fumes emitted from around that while you're filling the tank, so if those fumes get inside the phone and it rings, Kablooie.
   
   And according to one of the cellphone-gasoline research sites, you are far more likely to have the gas explode getting into and out of your car on a hot day while fueling a vehicle.
   
   Yet I've seen my share of folks at the gas pump take off their cell phone and begin pumping, only to get back into their car to yak on the phone while their tank overflows and the gas spills all over the ground. Luckily, most of the gas stations here in San Diego now have noticable signs stating you should not go back into your vehicle while fueling....now hopefully someone will start reading the sign at the pump instead of their hoax email.

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8.  

   Mean while on the West Bank...

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jul 21st, 2003 @ 5:40pm

   
   

   ...I understand they've become very adept at exploding bombs with cell phones.

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