Keep your family safe from the dangers of lithium-ion batteries

By On Nov 29, 2022

Posted: November 28, 2022 4:48 PM

Updated: November 28, 2022 6:23 PM

SPOKANE, Wash. – As we approach the holiday season, a time for giving gifts of all kinds — electronic toys, tools and gadgets — the Spokane Fire Department is educating us about the risks of the newest innovations.

You’ve probably seen videos online (like this one) of phones and other electronic devices burning. Those explosions are the result of thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that occurs when the temperature inside a battery (like the one in your cell phone) exceeds a certain point.

Basically, the heat generated is greater than the heat dissipated, and it sparks a chemical reaction and often, a fire.

“With every new invention and every new innovation that comes into society, there’s always a period of time where public safety has to adapt to the new reality,” said Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “The new risk that innovation brings to society.”

Today, we spoke with @SpokaneFire about the risks of lithium-ion batteries. Many of our household essentials, tools and toys use these – and they’re reliable! However, they do come with some risks.

How to use all your devices safely, tonight on @kxly4news at 6:00! pic.twitter.com/tqWAjzKXNU

— Emily Blume (@emilyblume_kxly) November 28, 2022

Currently, that newer innovation is lithium-ion batteries, and we are still learning a lot about the safety and health risks associated with these products. Meanwhile, we use them in almost every aspect of our lives.

In October, SFD hosted a national seminar focusing on fires started by these batteries. They brought together leaders and scientists from across the country in hopes of better understanding the dangers of fires involving lithium-ion batteries.

“We know what’s in that stuff that’s not gasoline,” Schaeffer said. “It’s volatile, it’s carcinogenic, and a lot of those chemicals once they get into your body, they never leave.”

As a result, firefighters are at the forefront of protecting our community by putting out these types of fires.

So where do we see these batteries?

“Things like toys that run on rechargeable batteries, kitchen appliances that run on lithium-ion batteries,” Schaeffer said. “Basically any type of electronic device that you would use wirelessly, there is a high probability that it is a lithium-ion battery. All lithium-ion batteries will have an indicator on the underside that shows, ‘Li-ion.’”

Only charge the batteries when you are at home and present, and within an area free of combustible materials. When the devices are fully charged, remove them from the charger to prevent overcharging.

If you have a damaged lithium-ion battery, take it to the Waste to Energy Plant in Spokane, so they can dispose of it properly.

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Contents

Are lithium batteries safe inside?

This question has been asked many times over the years, but the answer has not always been clear. There was a time early in the development of lithium batteries that there were safety concerns. However, with the advent of newer lithium technologies, it is clear that lithium batteries are, in fact, safe.

Are lithium battery fumes toxic? Li-ion batteries release a number of toxic substances14â16 as well as e.g. CO (asphyxiant gas) and CO2 (which induces anoxia) during heating and fire.

Do lithium batteries need to breathe?

Although lithium batteries do not produce gas in the same way as the other two batteries do, they still require ventilation to prevent thermal runaway.

Are lithium batteries safe indoors?

Like solar lithium batteries, sealed lead acid batteries such as ACGs are safe for indoor use.

How toxic are lithium battery fumes?

âº Exposure to Lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. âº Lithium can cause headaches, muscle weakness, twitching, blurred vision, loss of coordination, tremors, confusion, seizures and coma.

How common is it for lithium batteries to explode?

According to the high-tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery fire are about 1 in 10 million.

What happens if you breathe in lithium battery fumes?

Higher exposures can cause fluid build-up in the lungs (pulmonary oedema), a medical emergency, with shortness of breath. âº Exposure to Lithium can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Is it safe to have lithium batteries in your house?

There was a time early in the development of lithium batteries that there were safety concerns. However, with the advent of newer lithium technologies, it is clear that lithium batteries are, in fact, safe.

Are battery fumes harmful?

Symptoms that can result from breathing in large amounts of acidic battery fumes, or its contents, dust and smoke from burning batteries include: Bronchial irritation and coughing. Decreased mental capacity. Difficulty sleeping.

Can you get lithium poisoning from battery?

Toxicity from leaking battery materials has not been widely reported. We present the first case of accidental lithium poisoning secondary to impaction of a button battery in the cervical esophagus. Lithium poisoning should be considered in any child with neurological symptoms after ingestion of a lithium-ion battery.

Do lithium batteries vent gas?

The electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries is flammable and is generally lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) or other Li-salts containing fluorine. In case of overheating, the electrolyte will evaporate and finally be released from the battery cells. The gases may or may not be ignited immediately.

Do lithium batteries emit hydrogen gas? Therefore, the hydrogen is also released due to the electrochemical decomposition of the carbonate electrolyte. It should be noted that hydrogen is also released when lithium-ion batteries are stored in a charged state.

Do lithium batteries release fumes?

The research, published in Nano Energy, identified more than 100 toxic gases released by lithium-ion batteries (Li-ions), including carbon monoxide. The gases are potentially fatal, can be highly irritating to the skin, eyes and nasal passages, and are harmful to the wider environment.

What happens if you breathe in lithium-ion battery fumes?

Do lithium batteries produce fumes?

Lithium-ion battery fires generate intense heat and significant amounts of gas and smoke. Although the emission of toxic gases can pose a greater threat than heat, knowledge of such emissions is limited.

Do lithium batteries emit carbon monoxide?

The experimental studies showed that the CO2 and CO gases are released during the cycling of lithium-ion batteries on their cathodes, and on their anodes the gases C2H4, CO and H2.

Do lithium battery need to be vented?

Although lithium batteries do not produce gas in the same way as the other two batteries do, they still require ventilation to prevent thermal runaway. If the battery gets too hot, it can reach a critical condition and explode.

Do LiFePO4 batteries need to be ventilated?

Due to a lightweight option that offers charging efficiency and between 3000-5000 lifetimes, LiFePO4 is the best choice for a better battery. To ensure optimal safety and minimal impact, our chemistry only uses environmentally acceptable materials and has zero emissions with no ventilation required.

Can lithium batteries be kept indoors?

Deep-cycle lithium batteries can be stored and used indoors, providing an easy way to shelter and insulate them.

Do lithium-ion batteries have vents?

Cylindrical Li-ion batteries (cells) typically have safety vents in the positive terminal to enable the release of gases that accumulate inside the battery and thus help reduce the effects of thermal runaway, including fire and explosion. However, the vents are not always efficient, and it is important to understand why.

Are lithium battery fire fumes toxic?

Burning batteries release toxic fumes, which irritate the lungs. Leaking batteries: EXCEPT exposure to leaking electrolyte can cause severe irritation and/or damage to the skin, mucous membrane or eyes.

What are the main hazards of a lithium-ion battery fire?

In many cases, the by-products are also flammable and could ignite. In combustion reactions, their thermal run releases by-products that can cause smoke ignition, heat, fire and/or explosion. The byproducts of the lithium battery combustion reaction are usually carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Are battery fumes toxic?

If a battery ruptures/explodes, the acid or gas may be harmful or fatal if inhaled in a confined area. May cause severe irritation and burning of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Ingestion: If ingested, the acid in the battery causes serious burns in the mouth or perforation of the esophagus or stomach.

How toxic are lithium battery fumes?

Can I touch a lithium battery?

Are lithium ion batteries safe for humans? Lithium batteries contain potentially toxic materials including metals, such as copper, nickel, and lead, and organic chemicals, such as toxic and flammable electrolytes containing LiClO4, LiBF4, and LiPF6.

Is it OK to touch a lithium battery?

Lithium should be handled with extreme caution.

Is it safe to open a lithium battery?

A punctured lithium-ion battery can cause a serious fire in some cases. Potential electrolytes can leak through the hole, creating chemical reactions that often release heat. This heat can damage other battery cells, creating a chain reaction of damage.

How toxic are lithium batteries?

The gases are potentially fatal, can be highly irritating to the skin, eyes and nasal passages, and are harmful to the wider environment. These toxic gases can be emitted when a Li-ion battery overheats during charging.

Is it safe to cut open a lithium battery?

Broken or cracked cases can allow moisture and oxygen to enter the battery and oxidize the lithium components, causing a heat reaction. This can lead to fires or explosions. Heat reactions may also occur due to overheating, overcharging and shock from falling or crushing.

What happens if I cut open a battery?

Open battery contents can cause severe chemical burns in the mouth, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract; skin or eye contact with the contents of an open battery may cause irritation and/or chemical burns.

Is it safe to cut a lithium battery?

How toxic are lithium batteries?

Is lithium batteries toxic to humans?

How toxic is a burning lithium battery?

Toxic gases released from lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires pose a serious threat to human health, but are poorly studied, and knowledge of LIB fire toxicity is limited.

How harmful are lithium batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries contain metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are toxic and can contaminate water supplies and ecosystems if they leach from landfills. In addition, fires in landfills or battery recycling facilities have been attributed to improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries.

Can lithium batteries affect your health?

Some potential lithium ion battery materials are toxic, carcinogenic, or may undergo chemical reactions that produce heat or hazardous gases. Toxic substances include lithium compounds, nickel compounds, arsenic compounds, and dimethoxyethane.

Do lithium batteries emit radiation? No, like alkaline batteries, lithium ion batteries only store chemical energy, a completed circuit does not provide electricity, and does not emit any radiation.

Is it safe to have lithium batteries in your house?

What are the chances of a lithium battery catching fire?

Remember the fires Samsung Galaxy Note 7 or hoverboard? But in reality, lithium battery fires are rare. According to the high-tech reporting site CNET, your odds of a lithium battery fire are about 1 in 10 million.

What happens if you breathe in lithium battery fumes?

Do lithium batteries emit toxic fumes?

Do lithium batteries leak toxins?

According to a new study the dangerous batteries produce dozens of dangerous gases found in the billions of consumer devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The research, published in Nano Energy, identified more than 100 toxic gases released by lithium-ion batteries (Li-ions), including carbon monoxide.

Do batteries release toxic chemicals?

Although battery disposal may seem harmless, it can have a negative impact on the environment. All batteries contain hazardous, toxic and corrosive materials such as mercury, cadmium, lithium and lead.

What leaks from a lithium battery?

Can lithium batteries leak gas?

Do batteries cause health problems?

Environmental exposure to strong corrosive acids and lead found in batteries can cause burns and dangers to our eyes and skin. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, toxic metals such as nickel and cadmium found in batteries are human carcinogens.

What is the bad harmful effects of batteries?

However, the toxic metals needed to make ‘cadmium, cobalt, lead’ do not exist on Earth. When rechargeable batteries degrade in landfills, heavy metals can pollute the surrounding air, topsoil and groundwater, eventually entering our bodies.

Are batteries toxic to touch?

Batteries are safe, but care must be taken when handling damaged cells and when handling lead acid systems that have access to lead and sulfuric acid. Some countries label lead acid as a hazardous material, and rightly so. Lead can be a health hazard if not handled properly.

Can you get lead poisoning from batteries?

Inorganic lead dust is the most significant health exposure in battery manufacturing. Lead can be absorbed into the body through inhalation and ingestion.