Dangers of lithium batteries in focus

As the dangers of lithium batteries have once again hit the aviation news as a possible factor in the Air Malaysia tragedy, South Africa has been described as an accident waiting to happen in the air transport of these highly combustible products. That's according to Sean Reynolds, training manager at Professional Aviation Services – and a man who declares himself passionate about the dangers of hidden and undeclared dangerous goods. He believes they are one of the most dangerous products transported by air, and a rather too frequent cause of air incidents. “They were linked with the crash of a plane in Dubai in 2010 and a fire on an aircraft in the US in 2006,” Reynolds told FTW. “Also, the US-based Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said that there were 141 air incidents globally involving batteries carried as cargo or baggage between 1991 and February this year – which works out at about six incidents a year. “Of these, 44 were in the US – with the FAA recording 21 in passenger aircraft (16 in carry-on luggage and one in checked baggage) and the other 23 in cargo aircraft.” And the reason for singling out SA as a particularly dangerous airfreight destination related to lithium batteries is that – while the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) has been publicising its efforts to crack down on non-compliant imports – it has also said that SA has a history of being a dumping ground for “grey” products, which are often unacceptable imports elsewhere. Major imports amongst these are cheap, and most often sub-standard, electronic products like cell phones and laptops – which are particularly popular on the local (and often “black”) market. It could fairly be said, according to Reynolds, that these are also likely to have equally sub-standard lithium batteries powering them. Products, he added, which could have an above-average chance of spontaneous combustion – particularly as the consignors are also likely to have evaded the highly complex packaging standards demanded by global aviation bodies. “Reputable manufacturers of lithium batteries, and equipment that uses lithium batteries, are very conscious of the dangers of shipping these items, particularly as air cargo,” Reynolds told FTW. “And the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) and the International Air Transport Association Iata, along with the industry, have developed very sophisticated limitations and rules, particularly for packaging, that minimise the associated risks. “There are, however, those ‘grey’ manufacturers and operators who either don’t abide by the rules, or duck under the radar by not declaring or under-declaring their dangerous goods cargo in general, and lithium batteries in particular.” Old style portable batteries carried much lower charges, and, therefore, would not cause any great generation of heat. “Their newer lithium brothers, however, because they basically pack more muscle, are capable of generating serious heat in the event of a short circuit. And the metal ones can spontaneously burst into flame if they are broken or damaged,” he said.