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What are the adverse effects of cellphones at workbenches? I'm sure this should be frowned upon. Thanks. - Anonymous, Mansfield, MA,

Cell phones tend to have insulative housings which are typically large charge generators. There use should either be limited to outside an ESD Protective Area or, if needed at the work area, controlled as other process essential insulators (tools, fixtures, circuit boards, etc.).
ANSI/ESD S20.20 Paragraph 6.2.3.1. Protected Areas Requirement “Ionization or other charge mitigating techniques shall be used at the workstation to neutralize electrostatic fields on all process essential insulators if the electrostatic field is considered a threat.”
Ionization can be employed for control purposes on necessary insulators in the ESD Protective Area. Depending on the application, area to cover and location on the bench, there are several ionizers to choose from.

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