Batteries power many of our everyday devices and vehicles. While incredibly useful, batteries also pose potential health and environmental hazards when they burn or release chemicals. One significant concern is the toxicity of smoke that results from burning batteries. Understanding the components of battery smoke and associated health risks is important for handling batteries safely and responding properly to battery fires.
What’s in battery smoke?
The specific toxins present in battery smoke depend on the battery chemistry. Lithium-ion batteries are very common in consumer electronics and electric vehicles. When lithium-ion batteries burn, they release a complex mixture of gases, fumes, and particulate matter. Key components of lithium-ion battery smoke include:
- Carbon monoxide – An odorless, colorless gas that is highly toxic. It binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing oxygen transport.
- Hydrogen fluoride – Corrosive gas that can damage lungs and cause pulmonary edema.
- Toxic metals – Such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese that can cause respiratory, neurological, and reproductive harm.
- Particulates – Contain metals, chemicals, and battery fragments that can irritate lungs.
- Volatile organic compounds – Various hydrocarbons that are irritating and may be toxic.
Lead-acid batteries also pose risks when burned. Their smoke contains toxic lead and sulfur dioxide gas which causes severe respiratory irritation. Other battery varieties will have their own hazardous combustion products.
How does battery smoke affect health?
Exposure to battery smoke is extremely dangerous and can lead to both acute and chronic health effects:
Acute effects
Inhaling battery smoke, even briefly, can cause immediate and severe consequences:
- Coughing, wheezing, chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing, possibly leading to asphyxiation
- Eye and skin irritation
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea
- Potentially fatal pulmonary edema
Battery smoke is especially dangerous because many of the gases released are colorless and odorless, providing no sensory warning of exposure.
Long-term effects
Repeated or prolonged contact with battery smoke toxins can increase risks for chronic illness:
- Lung damage, scarring, and increased cancer risk
- Kidney and liver damage from metals like cadmium and cobalt
- Neurological problems from manganese exposure
- Reproductive harm linked to nickel and PAHs
Particulates in smoke may get embedded in lung tissue and lead to inflammation and fibrosis over time. Toxic metals also accumulate in organs and bones.
How much smoke is dangerous?
There are no defined safety thresholds for battery smoke exposure. The types of toxins present can cause harm even at very low concentrations.
For example, the permissible exposure limit for hydrofluoric acid in workplace air is just 3 parts per million (ppm). But battery smoke may contain up to 6% hydrogen fluoride, making exposures far beyond this limit possible.
Studies on rats exposed to lithium-ion battery smoke found severe pulmonary inflammation, edema, and death after just a 60-minute exposure. This demonstrates how toxic these fumes can be, even in short periods.
Any amount of visible battery smoke should be avoided. If smoke or fumes are detected, the area should be evacuated immediately.
Key recommendations for exposure prevention
Given the extreme toxicity of battery smoke, prevention and preparedness are key:
- Store and charge batteries properly to prevent fires
- Ensure good ventilation around charging and discharging batteries
- Develop and practice emergency action plans for battery fire response
- Make fire suppression systems and containment strategies available
- Have proper PPE for first responders and cleanup crews
- Educate personnel on safe handling and fire risks
Special considerations are warranted for large battery storage systems, including those in electric vehicles. Responding to fires in these large banks of batteries will require significant safety precautions and hazardous materials training.
First aid recommendations for battery smoke exposure
If battery smoke exposure does occur, follow these emergency first aid steps:
Inhalation
- Evacuate from smoke immediately and get fresh air
- Administer oxygen if available
- Seek medical help for breathing difficulties
Skin and eye contact
- Flush eyes with plenty of water for 15 minutes
- Wash skin with soap and water, rinse well
- Get medical attention for irritation or burns
Conclusion
Smoke from burning batteries contains a hazardous mix of toxic gases, caustic chemicals, and heavy metals. Exposure, even briefly, can lead to severe acute health effects and increase the risk of chronic illness. Preventing battery fires through proper handling, storage, and emergency planning is critical. First responders and those working near batteries should have specialized training to deal with battery fire events safely. With appropriate precautions and evacuation protocols, the dangers of battery smoke can be minimized.