Responsible battery recycling has become part of good governance. This is good news, but it has the effect of more people handling old and possibly damaged batteries than before. Protecting people in these situations has therefore become paramount.
Protecting People from an Increasing Number of Lithium Incidents
The number of media reports linking lithium batteries to fires at recycling plants is increasing. We think this is probably down to increasing media attention. However, it does suggest that more people are sending faulty batteries to these facilities. And thereby increasing their own personal risk too.
Batteries can suffer damage in several ways. Because they could be exposed to different elements and temperatures out of design range. They could also receive accidental trauma. The risk increases when we remove them from devices where designers intended them to be permanent. One example could be single-use vaping e-cigarettes.
Lithium Battery Corrosion Damage
Environmental Leader’s Take on Protecting People from Danger
Environmental Leader takes the approach, the more you know the better. Protecting people should therefore start by knowing what a damaged lithium battery looks like. Things to watch for are bulging, bloating, punctures, leaking, or corrosion. We must be careful to keep damaged and undamaged batteries separate.
We should handle damaged ones with extra care, and avoid storing them in plastic or cardboard containers. Store them in sand rather, or even kitty litter says, Environmental Leader. Some recyclers offer storage and shipping kits. We can protect people from lithium battery incidents better, when they know how to spot damaged products.
If they know what to do when they find one, they can take necessary proactive measures to contain a fire in the event of thermal runaway. We encourage parents and employers to take up the task of responsible training. This becomes even more important as increasing numbers of electric car batteries come to market.
Related
Emergency Responders & Electric Car Fires
Containing a Lithium Battery Fire: EU Update 4
Preview Image: Swollen Lithium-Ion Polymer Battery
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