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LETTERS: Ramsey M Faragher Injury from lightning strike while using mobile phone: Statistics and physics do not suggest a link BMJ 2006; 333: 96 [Full text]

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Authors' Reply

Swinda Esprit, Mr Prasad Kothari, Prof Ram Dhillon   (10 July 2006)

The effect on the mobiles

Ramsey M Faragher   (12 July 2006)

Amalgam fillings and lightning

Phillip J. Colquitt   (13 July 2006)

Authors' Reply 10 July 2006
Swinda Esprit, ENT SHO Northwick Park Hospital, HA1 3UJ, Mr Prasad Kothari, Prof Ram Dhillon Send response to journal: Re: Authors' Reply	Editor, We have read the responses to our letter regarding the girl who was struck by lightning whilst using her mobile phone with great interest. This is a rare phenomenon and we want to clarify that our concern was related only to the use of mobile phones in open spaces, such as parks, during storms. We simply wanted to report a case that occurred under these specific circumstances and by no means wanted to convey the opinion that we felt that the public should not use or carry their mobile phones outside whatever the circumstances. The case was not reported in full, the details were that the girl was witnessed to be struck by lightning via her mobile phone and her companions sustained superficial dermal burns on their legs where they were carrying their mobile phones in their pockets. We were very intrigued by this case and felt that other practitioners and scientists would be interested too. The debate on this inflammatory topic has been very insightful and we accept the fact that the evidence for a specific association is theoretical and not statistical. Competing interests: Authors of original letter regarding girl struck by lightning whilst on mobile phone
The effect on the mobiles 12 July 2006
Ramsey M Faragher, PhD Student Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge Send response to journal: Re: The effect on the mobiles	I am quite interested in exactly happened with the mobiles - you say that the others experienced minor burns on their legs where their phones were in their pockets - I presume by minor that means that none of the current channeled through them? (In which case is this again further evidence that having a mobile on you when you are hit by lightning does not necessarily channel the bolt through your body?) Were the cellphones and batteries intact afterwards? I suspect the rather volatile lithium could have been the cause of these injuries and perhaps the girl's ear damage if it had exploded due to the temperature rise. Also were the cellphones all plastic encased? Did everyone receive similar burns around their keys, necklaces, watches, earrings, etc? thanks, Ramsey Competing interests: None declared
Amalgam fillings and lightning 13 July 2006
Phillip J. Colquitt, Technician Independent Comment Send response to journal: Re: Amalgam fillings and lightning	To be consistent and comprehensive in assessing such a matter, with regard to metals on the body or head, it might be interesting to contemplate the role(if any) of the metal tooth fillings in the mouths of about 75% of the population(almost as many as have mobile phones). Amalgams are about 50% mercury(quicksilver) and about 50% silver/copper etc., and are wonderful conductors of electricity. Is the open mouth continuous with the wet skin, for such purposes? Competing interests: None declared