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Answers to Readers' Questions on Physical Science:

Static Electricity Shocks

The following 96 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.

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Gets shocked from shopping carts

Question

August 23, 2009

I get shocks quite often and have learned to ground myself in several ways (touching wood, hanging on to the metal frame of a car door as I get out, etc) but lately I have been getting very strong static shocks from grocery carts, most have metal handles covered with plastic. I sometimes I have to stop shopping because of the large shocks I receive. Grounding myself does not seem to help...is it the cart? Can you recommend some types of devices to help me out? Thanks.

Diane - USA

18188

Answer

You are probably a person who is more prone to static electric shocks. Besides grounding yourself, consider avoiding clothes with polyester or synthetic fibers. Some shoes also build up charges.

A number of stores have switched over to cart with wheels that really build up static electricity. Other people have complained about the same problem. Instead of grounding yourself and having all the electricity run through your body, you might try occasionally grounding the cart. This could be done by connecting a wire to the metal part of the grocery cart and then occasionally touching the wire to some metal rack to help discharge it.

It seems like a hassle, but the method may work for you.

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Strong electrical signal affecting health

Question

July 15, 2009

I'm not sure if what I am experiencing is static electricity or real electric shock, but I know that the people who rent above me are hooking something up to the radiator/pipe.(old house) I know this sounds crazy but it feels like they are running a program that you would find on one of those Massage Chairs,for example Brookstone. I can feel the shocks and static in the air sometimes when I am standing, but when I am sitting or lying in bed, I can feel strong vibrations, and electric jolts, especially in my hands and feet. Also different types of other sensations like those on the massage programs I just mentioned, including heat. The vibrations send my diaphragm into spasm and pain into my chest and neck,disrupt my entire digestive system and sometimes create pressure in my head that I feel in my sinuses. I have tried everything I can think of, even adding a memory foam mattress topper. I wear rubber flip fops around the house but the only thing that helps a little is sleeping and sitting on a Fomentek bag which is an over sized hot water bottle. People who know me say when I tell them, "if I didn't know you as well as I do, I'd think you're nuts." Can you shed some light on what exactly is happening to cause such an extreme result all over my floor (the main floor)? (Obviously I can't move right now or I would be gone "in a flash.") What could cause this to go through floors? Could this be from this appliance having faulty wiring? Thank You.

Barbara - USA

18026

Answer

It is unlikely what you are experiencing is caused by static electricity. It sound more like problems from electromagnetic fields (EMF). It is also called electromagnetic radiation sickness. Some people are more sensitive to EMF than others.

Your symptoms are similar to those listed in the article:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30499.php

It is possible that the people who live upstairs have some sort of electrical generator that may be improperly grounded, so that it sends out strong signals. You might ask them if they have some electrical device that puts out vibrating signals. Don't tell them of your physical problems. Perhaps say that your television reception is suddenly poor.

At the very least, you can find out what type of device they are using.

I once lived above a fellow that had a CB radio that was so strong that I could hear him talking through my hi-fi speakers, even when it was unplugged. After mentioning it to him, he was more careful, because it was illegal.

Hopefully, you can solve your problem and get some peace.

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Fly-away hair

Question

May 16, 2008

its kinda cool to make mini - quiz and i wonder
how can static make hair goes up when i touch something like balloon on my head how can static touch up my hair to goes up?

Myra - USA

15960

Answer

It is often called fly-away hair when your hair goes up from static electricity. See: http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/static_cling.htm

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Many getting shocks at factory

Question

March 29, 2008

I work in a factory and recently alot of people have been getting shocked by static electricity. We used to have a mist put in the air, but for some unknown reason to me they got rid of those. Its to the point where people are seeing the electricity. Even one person got shocked so bad it threw him back and he hit his head and was unconscious. They have straps you can put on your legs but some who wear those even still get shocked. I myself have been just getting little shocks. My coworker got shocked and made the tips of her fingers purple and she felt like she was having a heart attack. Is there any other advice on this.

Janis - USA

15628

Answer

It would be good to bring this problem up to the factory management. You need to do it not as a complaint but as a concern that people may get hurt. You have to be careful about brining up problems to management. Perhaps you have a shop steward that can talk to them.

Injuries to workers from static electricity could result in workman's comp costs and even lawsuits to the company.

Trying to touch things with a piece of metal can drain off some of the static. But I think the problem comes from the type of product and lack of static electricity grounding.

I hope they will listen and make some improvements.

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Experiencing scores of shocks a day

Question

February 29, 2008

Hi, my name is Nicole. For the last few months (since the start of winter) I've been experiencing scores of shocks a day. I now tend to turn lights on or off with my my elbow and touch the car door handle with my knee first, just because the shocks hurt less than on my hands. I plan to try the moisturizer and changing my clothing materials. I'm really excited to try the key or ring, to metal idea. I've been experimenting on my own before this because of the impact it's had on my life. I recall a woman writing in who said it perfectly "I'm scared to touch anything".
In all the articles I've read, the consensus seems to be that you have to touch a metal object or another person to cause a shock. I've been getting shocks from brushing up against the walls in my home. I checked to be sure that our paint has no metallic base. I also get charges from plastic. I just wanted to know if this is normal, or if there is an explanation. Thank you for your time and response.

Nicole - USA

15462

Answer

The air in the house is usually dry in winter, thus causing more shocks. Also, if you skin gets dry, it can really increase the static electricity. You can try to increase the humidity in your house. Even adding plants will help. Also try a skin moisturizer.

Another thing is wearing clothes made of synthetic fibers increases static electricity. You could try 100% cotton clothes. Note that most rugs are made of synthetic materials, so you can build up charges if you wear the wrong type of shoes.

The greatest shocks come from metal objects, since they conduct electricity so well. But even materials such as the wall can give a slight shock if you have built up sufficient charges.

I hope these ideas help you overcome this annoying situation.

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Sprayed with water but still getting static shocks

Question

February 28, 2008

Please help me with static problems. I have shorted out the fax machine twice, the copier and the electronic thermostat. The company I work for replaced the fax machine, and the themostat, but the copier is still dead. How can static cause such a huge problem? The same thing happens at home, lightbulbs only last about a week before they blow. Thankfully, I haven't ruined any appliances at home.
I have used a spray bottle to moisten the carpet at work, I also spray my desk chair, and where my feet sit while working. Nothing is helping...what is wrong with me?

Jenn - USA

15455

Answer

Dry skin rubbing on clothes made with synthetic materials is often a major cause of excess static electricity in people. Try using a skin moisturizer and wear 100% cotton clothes. You might also put a cotton or wool blanket on your chair at work, since they usually are made of polyester materials and rub on your clothes and skin.

Before touching electronic devices, try to drain excess electricity by touching something metal like a door knob first. Use a metal key or such so you don't get a shock.

I hope these ideas help.

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Daughter has health problems and gets shocks

Question

February 18, 2008

My daughter suffers from several health conditions effecting her stomache, immune system ect. Recently she has started drawing electrical charges from things in the house. Not like a shock though. When she reaches for the light switch a blue current will snap at her and radiate up her arm and it tingles in her throat. other items have been the casing on the DVD player, the center of the USB cord for her camera zapped her knee when it brushed against her. None of the items have exposed wires and it doesn't happen to anyone else. My daughter is afraid to touch things that are plugged in. She not like a quick shot from a built up charge its more like the electricity if pulling out of the electrical devices.

Jody - USA

15375

Answer

Dry skin along with wearing clothes that include synthetic fibers are the major reasons that people who get so many shocks build up static electricity.

Your daughter's health conditions could cause her skin to be more dry than normal. You might try a skin moisturizer. Also have her wear 100% cotton clothes. Hopefully, that will greatly decrease or completely eliminate the shocks.

I hope this helps. Let me know how it turns out.

Best wishes for her good health.

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How can you stop fly-away hair?

Question

November 12, 2007

This is a nice, simple write-up as to what static electricity acts like. You don't give very powerful solutions. For example, the hairs with all of the same charge repelling each other: what's a real fix for that? Finesse shampoo/conditioner used to fix this problem, but they muust have changed their formula because it no longer works. Hairspray is unappealing. Do you have any suggestions?

Carol - USA

14764

Answer

Unfortunately, there are no real fixes for problems like fly-away hair, primarily because people are different and have different preferences.

One good solution is using an Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer. They do a great job on drying the hair without creating conditions for static electricity.

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Static electricity hazard from mobile phone

Question

October 2, 2007

How does a mobile phone become a hazard in terms of static electricity.

Graham - SOUTH AFRICA

14456

Answer

A mobile phone should pose no hazard to you from static electricity. But it is possible that a static electricity spark from you to the phone could damage its electronics. But that seems to be a rare occurrence.

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Autistic grandson gets shocked from trampoline

Question

August 20, 2007

how can i stop my autistic grandsons outdoor trampoline from giving him shocks,he doesnt understand it and will not go on it at all now

jean - England

14225

Answer

This is a problem that affect many using trampolines. Some manufacturers have improved their materials to reduce static electricity.

Wool or 100% cotton socks can help. Also, using a piece of metal such as a key or ring to touch the metal frame of the trampoline after getting off will discharge the static electricity and eliminate getting shocked. Touching nonmetal object first can reduce much of the charges.

The problem is that once he becomes afraid of getting shocked, he may completely shy away from using the trampoline. It is difficult then to experiment on ways to reduce or eliminate the static charges.

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