Huntington Beach, California, March 6, 2025
Earlier this year, a massive lithium-ion fire broke out at the Moss Landing Power Plant in Monterey County, California. The fire at the electricity plant’s 300-megawatt lithium storage facility resulted in evacuation orders for over 1,000 local residents and a disaster declaration by local officials.
According to the County of Monterey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) monitored the air quality in and around the fire perimeter and across Monterey County. Monitoring stations were set up to measure for particulate matter (PM) and hydrogen fluoride, both pollutants of concern from a battery fire.
When lithium batteries catch fire, they can be extremely difficult to extinguish. When a fire does occur, a lithium battery fire is not just dangerous because of the flames. Toxic gas emissions could include not only hydrogen fluoride, but also hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen gas. There could also be exposure risks to PM containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, iron, and other substances.
“Lithium battery fires can cause significant harm and there have been many throughout California over the last several years,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “To help ensure the safety of workers and the public following a lithium-ion battery fire, the scientists at LA Testing’s California laboratories provide environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing services. We also offer sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment to detect and mitigate potential exposure hazards.”
LA Testing has even 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.
Order Sampling Supplies
Request Pricing
Technical Questions
24/7 Account Access
Email Us
