The EPA is taking steps to ensure public and environmental safety during the cleanup of the Palisades and Eaton fires by focusing on the proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Teams locate and safely de-energize these batteries before crushing them, a method developed during the Maui wildfire response.
When these rechargeable batteries that are used in everything from electric vehicles to home energy storage catch fire or are exposed to high heat, something called a thermal runaway event takes place that poses a threat to human health.
Which is why phase one of the EPA's cleanup of the Palisades and Eaton fires is focused on locating and properly disposing of things like lithium ion batteries. . Battery cells that could still ignite are wrapped in fire blankets and batteries that still have charge are de-energized in a brine solution. Then, they're crushed by a compactor.
Wildfires Lithium-Ion Batteries EPA Cleanup Thermal Runaway Safety
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