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Feds Consider New Lithium Battery Restrictions on Airplanes

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

March 6, 2007

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The Department of Transportation is looking at new restrictions for transporting lithium batteries on airplanes but there are no plans to ban the batteries from carry-on luggage and it's like that only checked baggage would be affected.

Battery industry representatives have acknowledged that some restrictions may be needed, but insist that there is no need to ban laptops, cell phones or other devices from airplanes.

Federal reports indicat at least nine fires involving lithium batteries have happened on airplanes or in cargo destined for planes since 2005.

The Federal Aviation Administration is asking companies that make and ship the batteries to take voluntary steps to ease fire risks. The agencies also will launch a safety awareness campaign for passengers.

Lithium batteries come in two forms. The lithium metal batteries are single-use and the lithium-ion can be recharged. Both store energy that generates intense heat in the event of a short circuit, if metal touches both terminals or if internal seals fail.

In many cases, low-cost or counterfeit batteries lack safeguards against short circuits.

In the last year, more than 4 million lithium batteries or all sorts have been recalled.

Bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries were banned on passenger flights in 2004, in part because fires in those batteries are especially hard to extinguish.

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