Cell phone batteries emit poisonous gases
A new study has found that the batteries in smartphone and tablets produce more than 100 potentially toxic gases.
Over 100 toxic gases are released by lithium batteries – including carbon monoxide, which can cause strong irritations to the skin, eyes and nasal passages and also harm the environment.
Many people may be unaware of the dangers of overheating, damaging or using a disreputable charger for their rechargeable devices, said the researchers from the Institute of NBC Defence in the US and Tsinhua University in China.
The researchers investigated a type of rechargeable battery, known as a ‘lithium-ion’ battery, which is placed in two billion consumer devices every year.
‘Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries are being actively promoted by many governments all over the world as a viable energy solution to power everything from electric vehicles to mobile devices,’ said Jie Sun, lead author and professor at the Institute of NBC Defence. ‘The lithium-ion battery is used by millions of families, so it is imperative that the general public understand the risks behind this energy source,’ said Sun.
There are several factors that Sun and her colleagues identified that can cause an increase in the concentration of the toxic gases emitted – a fully charged battery will release more toxic gases than a battery with 50% charge, for example.
The concentrations and types of toxic gases released depended on the chemicals contained in the batteries and their capacity to release charge.
It is hoped that identifying the gases produced and the reasons for their emission will give the manufacturer a better understanding of how to reduce toxic emissions and protect the wider public, as lithium-ion batteries are used in a wide range of devices.
‘Such dangerous substances, in particular carbon monoxide, have the potential to cause serious harm within a short period of time if they leak inside a small, sealed environment, such as the interior of a car or an airplane compartment,’ Sun said.
In the study, around 20,000 lithium-ion batteries were heated to the point of combustion, causing most devices to explode and all to emit a range of toxic gases.
In real-life situations, batteries can be exposed to such temperature extremes especially if the battery overheats or is damaged in some way.
Until toxic emission-free batteries are available, be aware that certain health conditions may be due to the toxic emissions from the battery!
