> The company I work for has a  paintline where mobile phones and other
battery
> operated equipment are not allowed in the paint application rooms, not
because
> of induced voltages causing arcs, but from tiny arc from the battery
terminals
> themselves.  Although another part of the plant mobile phones and handheld
RF
> transceivers are not allowed due to them affecting the controllers for
some
> blow-off valves on a turbine air compressor.

Explosive atmospheres are a whole 'nother thing, as is an environment where
you have a demonstrated problem.

I think the real issue is billing, they're afraid the pump might give out
some free gas, because they cheaped out their shielding.