Lithium-ion Battery Fires FAQ

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) currently use Lithium-ion batteries for energy storage.

Research Symptoms of Toxic Exposure and Health Effects due to exposure to these chemicals at:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

The following information is sourced from that CDC website.

We have come to understand that the new government may be trying to take this website down. We are shocked to have also just learned that all scientific funding to NIH (National Institutes for Health) is frozen.

I don’t want to believe it, but it may be true that the government is currently trying to stop information access from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) via their websites. I am hoping this is not possible.

However, if you suspect toxic exposure, research the health effects of these chemicals and compare to your symptoms today. Don’t wait.

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Lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires release a variety of toxic gases, including:

• Carbon monoxide (CO): An asphyxiant gas that can reach levels 500 times the OSHA limit
• Hydrogen fluoride (HF): A toxic gas that can cause severe tissue damage
• Methane: A combustible gas
• Hydrogen cyanide: A toxic gas
• Formaldehyde: A toxic gas that can reach levels 150 times the OSHA limit
• Sulfur dioxide: A contaminant found in the smoke
• Fluorinated phosphorus: A contaminant found in the smoke
• Lithium-based compounds: A contaminant found in the smoke
• Heavy metals: Including nickel, manganese, and cobalt
•
Other emissions from lithium-ion battery fires include: Ethylene, Acetylene, 1,3-butadiene, Phosphorus Pentafluoride (PF5), and Phosphoryl fluoride (POF3).

In sum, these gases can be poisonous or combustible, and can cause:

• Skin burns
• Lung damage
• Low blood levels of calcium and magnesium (signs of hypercalemia)
• High blood levels of potassium (hypercalemia)
• Low blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Metabolic acidosis
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Seizures
• Death

As well, seek medical attention if you have these symptoms outlined in detail below: open sores, skin, throat and lung irritation, heart palpitations.

You may have been exposed to Hydrogen Fluoride, which is a corrosive, odorless gas, produced by LIB Fires.

Even if preliminary EPA tests did not show in air samples, documenting symptoms and collecting epidemiological health data, also proves existence of toxic exposure.

HF exposure is treatable with Calcium Gluconate. Consult a doctor asap, if you have the following.

Symptoms of exposure to hydrogen fluoride (HF) include:

Immediate irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, skin burns that may not appear immediately, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, severe pain at the exposure site,

Potential for pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs), irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia), and in severe cases, systemic effects like low blood calcium (hypocalcemia) which can lead to death depending on the severity of exposure and route of contact.

Key points about hydrogen fluoride exposure symptoms:
• Inhalation: Eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, potential for delayed pulmonary edema.

• Skin contact:
Severe burning pain, redness, skin damage that may not appear immediately, deep tissue burns, potential for systemic effects even with small splashes.
• Eye contact: Immediate pain, redness, irritation, potential for corneal damage and vision impairment.
• Ingestion: Severe mouth and throat burns, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.

Important considerations:
• Delayed symptoms: Sometimes, the most severe symptoms of HF exposure may not appear immediately, especially with skin contact, and can develop over several hours or days.
• Concentration and duration of exposure:
The severity of symptoms depends on the concentration of HF, the duration of exposure, and the area of contact.
• Seek immediate medical attention:
If you suspect exposure to hydrogen fluoride, seek immediate medical attention regardless of the apparent severity of symptoms.

HOW HYDROGEN FLUORIDE GAS BECOMES HYDROFLUORIC ACID

When hydrogen fluoride gas mixes with water vapor, it becomes hydrofluoric acid. This is because hydrogen fluoride readily dissolves in water, forming the acidic solution known as hydrofluoric acid.

This seems to imply that Fog or Rains in proximity to high concentrations of Hydrogen Fluoride emissions could contain the dangerous chemical and bring it to the ground.

• Important consideration: Hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive and can cause serious burns upon contact with skin.

Much thanks to Nancy White for helping compile this information!