HANDPHONE use during storms can be deadly as lightning is attracted to the electromagnetic waves emitted by the phone's built-in antenna.
Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturer Dr Ishak Arif told Berita Harian that handphones used radio frequencies (electromagnetic waves) of between 9,900MHz and 1.2GHz, while 3G phones used 3GHz or more.
“The signals sent out while users are communicating via their handphones can attract lightning bolts,” he said, adding that a person standing in an open space faced a higher risk of being hit by lightning.
He said lightning bolts that carried thousands of volts could pass through a person within seconds, resulting in instant death.
Dr Ishak advised handphone users to switch them off during thunderstorms.
“Apart from the antennas, handphone casings that have metal parts can also attract lightning bolts,” he added.
Kosmo! reported Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo as saying that gangsters were behind the spread of the illegal scrap metal trade in the Klang Valley,
He said the industry had become a thorn in the side for the state and police.
“I know the industry is backed by gangsters because I was also intimidated by them once,” said Dr Khir.
He said there were too many illegal scrap metal businesses in the state and it had become difficult to control them.
“In Klang alone, there are some 200 premises and another 60 within the Selayang municipality,” he added.
“When the local authority's officers approach these illegal operators they will say that the police issued them licences. If the police were to approach them, they would say the council gave them the licence.
“But now we have decided to send down an executive councillor who will bring along officers from the council and police to check,” he said, adding that those who wished to apply for licences must fulfil certain criteria. -theStar
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