Lithium Ion Battery Safety: What to Look for and How to Avoid Harm
Many products, including cellphones, laptop computers, and cameras, use single-use lithium-ion batteries. When these devices approach the end of their useful life, most consumers dispose of them in their ordinary trash. However, failing to take adequate precautions while disposing of batteries poses considerable concerns. Specific storage procedures are harmful. Here's what you should know about safely handling these batteries.
The Dangers of Improper Lithium-Ion Battery Storage and Disposal
Disposing of batteries with the rest of your trash can result in jostling or punctures. This can result in a condition known as thermal runaway, in which a portion of the battery cell reaches a high temperature. The heat causes the cell material to decompose, resulting in self-healing and an uncontrollable temperature rise. As a result, stability is compromised, causing an explosive process to occur.
Batteries that have been improperly dumped are thought to be the primary cause of fires in many waste sites. Even if thermal runaway does not occur, there are other dangers to consider. For example, if lithium batteries come into touch with other metals at a specific angle, sparks might arise—which is why proper storage is so important. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can emit hydrogen or static electricity over time, which might contribute to explosions while being stored.
Fortunately, some precautions may be taken to reduce the risk of battery-related fires and explosions. Here are a few safety precautions to take.
Perhaps you work in an industry that requires lithium-ion batteries, or you just store end-of-life equipment until they can be appropriately disposed of. While it may appear to be more convenient to keep all of your batteries or undesired items in one spot, they should never be kept adjacent to each other, let alone physically touching. They should not be stored near any metal objects. Keep your batteries at or below room temperature (20-22° C) in a well-ventilated environment. Ideally, they should be stored in an atmosphere with a relative humidity of around 50%; excessive temperatures or moisture could disrupt their molecular structure.
One of the main reasons batteries get up in landfills is that they are embedded within devices, making it difficult for users to extract and manage them without the right tools and procedures. It makes sense to engage the assistance of a reputable electronics recycler to properly dispose of your batteries for the sake of convenience and compliance.
Quantum's downstream processors operate within the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) framework, ensuring compliance with the battery rule. Electronics with batteries are inspected, and dangers are mitigated throughout this time-consuming process.
If you're a consumer wishing to get rid of old devices, you can find a Quantum drop-off location near you here. Items from collection sites are picked up daily to reduce the possibility of batteries interacting. Businesses may work with Quantum to properly manage their lithium-ion battery-powered devices to promote safe practices and ensure compliance and learn more about our recycling solutions.
