Phone Batteries Emit Toxic Gases, Can Affect Skin, Nasal Passages And Eyes

More than 100 potentially fatal gases are produced by the batteries found in billions of consumers devices such as smartphones and tablets. The research identified over 100 toxic gases released by lithium batteries, including carbon monoxide, which can cause strong irritations to the skin, eyes and nasals passages and harm the wider environment. Researchers from the Institute of NBC Defence in the US and Tsinghua University in China said many people may e unaware of the dangers of overheating, damaging or using a disputable charger for their rechargeable devices. In the new study, they 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. 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. Researchers identified several factors 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 release more toxic gases than a battery with 50% charge, for example. The chemicals contained in the batteries and their capacity to release charge also affected the concentrations and types of toxic gases released. Identifying the gases produced and the reasons for their emission gives manufacturers 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 environments. 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. Almost 20,000 lithium ion batteries were heated to the point of combustion in the study, causing most devices to explode and all to emit a range of toxic gases. Batteries can be exposed to such temperature extremes in the real world, for example, if the battery overheats or is damaged in some way.