Environmental Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, April 3, 2024

Lithium batteries can be found in everything from mobile phones and e-cigarettes to cordless tools, laptop computers, electric cars, and industrial battery backup and energy storage systems. These batteries are in almost every home, business and school because they provide mobility that has changed the way people live.

Along with all the good, lithium batteries can also fail. When this type of battery fails to operate safely, or is damaged or defective, it can catch fire and be extremely difficult to extinguish. Damage to lithium batteries can occur instantaneously or over time from physical damage, thermal variations, erroneous charging or from control system failures. This type of fire can cause significant harm and there have been many throughout California over that last several years.

“In the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only so long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “When a fire does occur, a lithium battery fire is not just dangerous because of the flames. Toxic gas emissions could include hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen gas. There could also be exposure risks to particulates containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, iron and other substances.”

To help ensure the safety of workers and building occupants following a lithium ion battery fire, the scientists at LA Testing’s California laboratories provide environmental, industrial hygiene, and materials testing services and sampling supplies to detect these potential exposure hazards. They have also sponsored an educational video about lithium batteries and environmental, health and safety concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/YAALnww_JVU 

To learn more about this or other environmental, industrial hygiene and material testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.
 

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.