I actually am quite concerned about cellphone radiation and seldom use one for that reason, but how does the engine emit EMF? Isn’t it just mechanical parts powered by electricity from the battery in the back? EM radiation is something that would actually stop me from buying a hybrid or electric car if its true.

However, they did run across an interesting finding: Gas pump fires DO occur and far more women than men are involved. It seems that the most common cause of gas pump fires is static electricity from sliding out of the car seat. If you get out of the car, close the door, and then pump the gas, you’re fine because you discharged the static when you touched the door frame to close it. BUT, if you leave the door open, start fueling, go back in the car — say to chat on the phone — and THEN go back to the nozzle when it’s done WITHOUT touching the door, you can build up enough of a static charge to ignite the fumes at the filler neck and BOOM.

And it does happen. Myth Busters proved it.

I read a blurb somewhere that GM began the original “whispering campaign” against hybrids. And, that GM cleverly chose Conservative Talk Radio as the format to raise doubts about hybrid technology. (Conservatives will believe ANYTHING that is anti-environmental). I would love to see some more in-depth reporting on this. Or maybe, it’s just a Liberal Myth.