Why are lithium ion batteries a hazard? What to know after Columbus LIB fire spurs evacuation
Grace TuckerA tractor trailer carrying lithium ion batteries caught on fire Thursday morning in Columbus, causing several neighborhoods in the area to be evacuated and the closure of four interstate exit ramps.
Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Jeffery Geitter said Columbus firefighters were called to the 1600 block of Mckinley Avenue at about 6 a.m. Thursday morning after the trailer was seen smoking. The trailer contained lithium ion batteries inside, Geitter said.
At 7:30 a.m., Geitter said Columbus police officers were moving door-to-door evacuating residents. The evacuation order was lifted just before 10 a.m., the Columbus Dispatch reported.
The Columbus Division of Fire’s hazmat team worked with the EPA and other agencies to assess the situation. The lithium ion batteries could explode or burn very rapidly, Geitter said.
Thursday's tractor fire comes on the heels of ongoing controversy surrounding the increase of lithium ion battery fires. Earlier this month, New York City Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh announced that lithium-ion batteries have recently become a leading cause of fires and fire deaths in the city and that the problem is growing nationwide.
Here's what to know about lithium ion batteries and precautions to take when disposing of them.
What are lithium ion batteries?
A lithium ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that is considered to have higher energy density, charge faster and have a longer cycle life than other batteries.
The batteries have been commercialized for cellphones, computers and portable audio-visual equipment, according to ScienceDirect. Popular products like the iPhone and some e-bikes and electric vehicles use lithium ion batteries.
Why do lithium ion batteries explode?
A combination of manufacturer issues, misuse and aging batteries can heighten the risk of the flammable materials in lithium ion batteries catching fire, CNN reported.
The batteries explode due to a chain reaction that can be caused by a battery overheating, exposure to water, being punctured or an electrical error like a short circuit.
Lithium ion battery fires are particularly dangerous in that they are associated with the release of toxic gases and are more difficult to extinguish than normal fires. Fire extinguishers are known to not work on putting out lithium ion battery fires.
The batteries are also known to unexpectedly re-ignite minutes, hours and even days after all the visible fire has been extinguished, the New York City Fire Department reported.
Tips for safely handling lithium ion batteries
In order to minimize the risk of lithium ion battery fires, consumers are encouraged to handle them safely by doing the following:
- Do not store lithium ion batteries near heat sources or in areas with temperature extremes
- Examine your batteries for issues such as odor, leaks or bulging
- Never ship batteries that are damaged or defective
- If you encounter a leaky battery, do not touch the spilled material. Wear personal protective equipment and handle it according to the product's instructions
- Never leave a battery charging overnight
- Never plug a battery into a power strip or overload an outlet
- If a fire occurs, evacuate immediately and call 911. Do not try to extinguish the fire yourself
Can you recycle lithium ion batteries?
Do not dispose of lithium ion batteries in the trash or a municipal recycling bin. They may become damaged or crushed, thus creating a fire hazard.
The Environmental Protection Agency advises consumers to dispose of lithium ion batteries at certified battery electronics recyclers.
The following websites can be used to find the closest electronics recycler to you: