Why Is Mobile Risky During Lightning?

History

• In 2004, lightning injured 15 people on China's Great Wall, one of whom was using a cell phone. In 2006, lightning struck a British teen chatting on her cell phone, severely injuring her and prompting warnings about cell phone use during electrical storms.

Theories/Speculation

• The theory is that the metal in cell phones disrupts the body's external flashover, conducting electricity into the body rather than across the skin. Though admitting the rarity of these cases --- compared with the number of lightning deaths not involving cell phones --- Dr. Swinda Espirit of Britain and Professor Liu Shuhua of China felt the issue constituted a public safety hazard.

Counterclaims

• Cambridge Professor Ramsey Farragher contends that, with their negligible amounts of metal, insignificant power output and insulated plastic cases, cell phones don't attract lightning. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts say lightning strikes are more likely due to the caller being the tallest object in an open space and suggest that the best defense is simply remaining indoors during lightning storms.