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Monday, July 16, 2007
That iPod may be hazardous to your health
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I wouldn’t worry too much about it - you are certaintly more at risk while driving to work - but there have been increasing reports of the consequences of using portable electronic devices (iPods, other similar players, and even cellular phones) outside during a thunderstorm.
The lightning strikes and it follows the metal and wiring to your body and, finally, to your head where the earbuds rest.
As the article linked here correctly notes your iPod doesn’t attract electricity, instead it offers a path for it to travel once it hits. So you’re not a walking lightning rod when you venture out while plugged in.
Lightning usually strikes the tallest structure in the vicinity - as I recall that’s called the umbrella effect. So a tall tree or a high building usually is the entry point. But once it strikes, metal forms an excellent conductor (that, of course, is why - especially in the Midwest where thunderstorms are works of art) you’ll see lightning rods on buildings and barns. These rods, connected to grounding stakes, help channel the lightning safely to ground.
Unfortunately, your iPod or music player - in the rare instance this happens - also provides a fast lane for lightning.
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