【Concerned】Are you taking safety measures for the easily ignitable lithium-ion batteries?

Recently, accidents caused by fires from mobile batteries and devices with built-in rechargeable batteries have been frequently discussed. In many cases, lithium-ion batteries are used in these products. What are the ways to continue using them safely? I also researched how to dispose of and store them properly.

Why do mobile batteries catch fire?

Source: Ministry of the Environment.

Many of the batteries used in recent mobile batteries are "lithium-ion batteries" (a type of lithium rechargeable battery).

The cause of the fire appears to be that "two types of electrode materials come into direct contact, causing a chemical reaction." Furthermore, it is explained in materials from the Ministry of the Environment that "due to internal short circuits, reactions gradually progress inside the battery, leading to an increase in battery temperature, heat generation, internal combustion, and ultimately resulting in smoke and fire."

Source: Tokyo Fire Department.

Looking at the data on causes of fire from the Tokyo Fire Department, there are 39 cases (23.4%) of fires involving lithium-ion batteries that occurred while being used as usual, and 18 cases (10.8%) due to impacts, while there are also 67 cases (40.1%) where the cause of the fire could not be identified. Since there is a possibility of fire even when used as usual, proper management seems to be an important point.

Products that use lithium-ion batteries

Source: The Japan Container and Packaging Recycling Association.

What you should know is that lithium-ion batteries are surprisingly used in many rechargeable products around us, making it difficult to avoid them in our daily lives.

They are used not just in mobile batteries, but also in smartphones, handheld fans, and electronic cigarettes, so it is not uncommon to be carrying them without realizing it, and placing them in fire-prone environments. It is important to keep track of where they are stored.

So what should we do?

Electronic cigarettes that caused fires in the recycling process

Source: Japan Container and Packaging Recycling Association.

It is fundamental not to give shocks and not to place them in high-temperature areas; however, according to documents from the Ministry of the Environment, cases of expansion due to aging degradation have also been reported, and in such cases, replacing them is one effective means. By the way, the typical lifespan of lithium-ion batteries is said to be around 2 to 3 years (500 charge-discharge cycles), which serves as a guideline for disposal.

Furthermore, it is also important to "use them up until they are depleted" when disposing of them, as it is considered that the risk of ignition decreases once they are in a depleted state.

Source: Japan Container and Packaging Recycling Association.

If you dispose of them as plastic waste or non-burnable waste without properly sorting them, they will be processed together with other waste, potentially igniting and causing a fire. Be sure to use them up and dispose of them according to the methods established by your local municipality.

By the way, in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, the municipality does not collect lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable lithium secondary batteries). "The general incorporated association JBRC is collecting them for recycling, so please put them in the 'Small Rechargeable Battery Recycling BOX'," it is announced. However, it also states that "only residents within the ward have started a base collection for small rechargeable batteries (such as mobile batteries) that were refused collection by cooperating stores."

What personally caught my attention was the suggestion that using a sunshade can cause the dash cam to overheat or retain heat more easily. Because of reflection, the situation can become hotter than usual, so it seems better to avoid using it in a way that covers the dash cam.

Unfortunately, what I found out after researching is that there is no clear understanding of the proper handling and disposal methods for products that use lithium-ion batteries. The data on causes of fire indicates that when combining "normal use" and "unknown," it exceeds 60%.

However, I felt that by each user avoiding improper use, the root causes of troubles become clearer. Especially in the hot summer, we should take care, so let’s take another look at the lithium-ion battery products around us.

Interviews and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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