Lithium

Jan 06, 2024

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The batteries, also found in phones, laptops, toothbrushes and other items, have caused about 200 fires and six deaths in New York City this year, fire officials say. Here's what to know about safety.

By April Rubin

A lithium-ion battery in an apartment with at least five e-bikes caused a fire in Manhattan this month that injured almost 40 people. The fire, which was one of 188 caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City this year, led to warnings about risks associated with the batteries and ways to minimize them.

Lithium-ion batteries power devices in every corner of our lives, including phones, laptops, toothbrushes, power tools and electric vehicles. But many don't know how to handle them safely or that they might start fires.

Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, last a long time and store a lot of energy in a small space. That has made them the most popular power source in electronic devices and vehicles, said Victoria Hutchison, a research project manager at the Fire Protection Research Foundation.

When a failing battery overheats, it can violently eject gas, projectiles and flames, then spread like a chain reaction to the other cells, she said.

Fires involving lithium-ion batteries have become more common in New York City: Six people died and 139 have been injured as a result of battery-caused fires so far this year, according to the New York Fire Department. Last year, the batteries were connected to fires that resulted in four deaths and 79 injuries, the department said.

The battery that caused a Nov. 5 fire was charging near the front door of an apartment, blocking its only exit and prompting firefighters to conduct a rope rescue of two occupants. And in August, a fire caused by a lithium-ion battery killed a mother and daughter in Harlem.

These fires can occur without warning and spread quickly, the chief fire marshal, Daniel E. Flynn, said at a Nov. 7 news conference.

"We have a fully formed fire within a matter of seconds," he said.

One out of every 10 million lithium-ion batteries fails, a condition that almost always leads to a fire, Ms. Hutchison said. While that is a relatively low rate, the batteries are being used in more devices, including cheaper, uncertified batteries with greater risk, she said. Customers should always buy batteries and devices that have been certified by UL or another safety testing lab.

Fires have also been started because people have used chargers incompatible with a battery, she said. They should only use the charging cables recommended by a manufacturer, she said. An incompatible one might continue to charge the battery to the point of overheating.

"Once it reaches its thermal threshold, it's a pretty violent reaction," Ms. Hutchison said.

Lithium-ion batteries show signs that they need to be replaced if they get hot, expand or take longer than usual to charge, Ms. Hutchison said. Immediately before failure, a battery will make a popping noise and then a hiss in which gas is released. Experts recommend storing them in fireproof containers.

Even a battery that complies with safety guidelines when it's first purchased can become dangerous if it's damaged, said William S. Lerner, a hydrogen expert and delegate for ISO, an organization for global standardization.

"These batteries can be of the highest quality, but if they are injured and dropped and severely beaten up, then the potential to fail is greater," he said.

No large-scale database keeps track of battery-caused fires, Mr. Lerner said. But the fires have occurred around the world.

The popularity of e-bikes in New York City grew during the pandemic as people looked for alternatives to public transportation and ride-sharing services, Mr. Lerner said. But their use increased before the government could put guidelines in place.

The New York City Housing Authority had proposed a ban on storing e-bikes in buildings but faced pushback from people like food couriers whose jobs depend on them. The authority said it is still working on steps for a proposed new rule.

The issue remains top of mind for housing managers. A sign outside the Manhattan apartment complex where the fire this month occurred read, "No pedal or e-bikes allowed beyond this point."

The City Council is considering several battery safety measures and held a hearing Monday night. Laws that would ban sales of noncertified batteries and require educating people about the risks of powered mobility devices are among the measures being considered.

Leny Feliu, a founder of Safer Charging, said her brother is a delivery person. "He makes his money that way and I want him to continue to make his money, but we need to provide a safe way of charging these items," she said.

The property management companies Douglas Elliman and AKAM, which oversee about 700 apartment complexes in New York City, have begun to communicate with residents and managers about lithium-ion battery safety.

"We want to be proactive, not reactive," said Chris Alker, the vice president of operations for AKAM. "We don't want to wait for a fire in order to address situations like these."

After the batteries have exhausted their life spans, which can vary, the next step is safe disposal — not throwing them in household trash, which is illegal in some states, including New York. Some companies like Home Depot and Best Buy accept used lithium-ion batteries. Some states require retailers to accept customers’ rechargeable batteries for recycling. Consumers can also contact battery manufacturers for disposal options.

Call2Recycle works with 52 brands and 75 bike shops to repurpose the batteries’ metal components, said Leo Raudys, the group's chief executive. Since starting to accept lithium-ion batteries in March, it's received 18,000 pounds of them.

"These batteries are phenomenal, and when people follow best practices and make good batteries, they’re safe, they’re reliable," he said, adding, "The problem is we’re seeing bad actors out there that are marketing and selling batteries that are unsafe or not certified."

April Rubin is a breaking news reporter and a member of the 2022-2023 New York Times fellowship class. @AprilMRubin

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