A 2017 report published in Nature (Nature.com) and other journals entitled “Toxic Fluoride Gas Emissions from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires” outlines several significant dangers to humans from the emissions of toxic gases during battery fires.

Here are the key points:

1. Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) Emissions:
   • Quantities Released: Significant amounts of HF are released during lithium-ion battery fires, ranging from 20 to 200 mg/Wh of nominal battery energy capacity​.
   • Toxicity: HF is highly toxic. The immediate dangerous to life or health (IDLH) level for HF is 0.025 g/m³ (30 ppm), and the lethal 10-minute HF toxicity value (AEGL-3) is 0.0139 g/m³ (170 ppm). Inhaling HF can cause severe respiratory issues and even death, especially in confined environments like aircraft, submarines, or homes​.
2. Phosphoryl Fluoride (POF3) Emissions:
   • Detection and Quantities: POF3 was detected only in specific tests, at levels between 15 and 22 mg/Wh. This compound is an intermediate and reactive, and while its toxicity data are not available, it is expected to be highly toxic​.
   • Complexity in Emissions: The presence and amount of POF3 depend on various factors, including the state of charge (SOC) of the batteries and local combustion conditions​.
3. Other Toxic Fluoride Gases:
   • Formation and Risks: The decomposition of lithium salts in the electrolyte, such as LiPF6, can generate other toxic fluoride gases. The formation of these gases is influenced by the presence of water/humidity, leading to complex reactions that produce HF and other toxic compounds.
4. Impact of Extinguishing Methods:
   • Water Mist: While using water mist to extinguish battery fires temporarily increased the production rate of HF, it did not significantly affect the total amount of HF released. This suggests that firefighting strategies must carefully consider the emission of toxic gases to avoid exacerbating the hazard​..
5. Risk in Confined Spaces:
   • Danger in Enclosed Environments: The emission of toxic gases like HF poses a severe risk in confined or semi-confined spaces, such as homes, aircraft, submarines, mines, and spacecraft. The rapid release of these gases during a thermal runaway event can lead to fatal concentrations in these environments​​.
6. Lack of Comprehensive Data:
   • Need for Further Research: The study emphasizes the need for more comprehensive research on toxic gas emissions from lithium-ion batteries to fully understand the risks and develop effective safety measures. Current data is insufficient for thorough risk assessment and management​​.

Overall, the toxic gas emissions from lithium-ion battery fires, particularly HF and potentially POF3, pose a significant threat to human health, especially in confined spaces. Effective risk assessment, management strategies, and further research are crucial to address these dangers.

Planning applications for lithium-ion facilities need to address these concerns and we recommend East Galway residents be vigilant for plans for such facilities in their locality as they pose a potentially devastating danger to their long-term health.

The research report is available here if you would like to read it.