BURN ZONE HAZARDS: EPA Neutralizes Explosive Lithium Batteries from Palisades Fire
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- On Friday, February 7, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continued its extensive recovery operations in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, focusing on the safe handling and disposal of hazardous lithium-ion batteries. Chris Myers, Federal On-Scene Coordinator at the EPA and a co-chair of the agency’s National Lithium-Ion Battery Emergency Response Task Force, provided an overview of the work being conducted at the Topanga Lithium Battery Processing Site.
The EPA's Lithium Battery Response Task Force had collected batteries from fire-damaged electric vehicles and residential energy storage systems throughout the burn zones in Pacific Palisades. These batteries, transported to the Topanga site in secure 55-gallon drums, underwent a critical safety and processing protocol to mitigate their hazardous potential.
At the site, hazmat personnel in white protective suits, respirators, gloves, and hard hats conducted meticulous processing operations. Myers explained the multi-step process: in the field, unstable batteries were removed from vehicles and energy systems and placed into drums for safe transport. Once at the processing site, damaged batteries that had undergone thermal runaway were either crushed to eliminate any chance of further reaction or submerged in an electrolytic brine solution-saltwater-to safely discharge any remaining energy. Crushing rendered the batteries mechanically incapable of causing thermal runaway or explosions.
“This operation ensures that these highly volatile batteries are stabilized and no longer pose a safety risk,” Myers said. “By safely discharging and mechanically neutralizing these batteries, we significantly reduce the potential for dangerous incidents.”
The EPA’s efforts are part of the broader hazardous materials cleanup mission initiated following the catastrophic Palisades Fire. The fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, consumed more than 23,000 acres and destroyed over 12,000 structures, displacing approximately 150,000 residents in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and the San Fernando Valley. Despite challenges posed by high winds that grounded aerial firefighting efforts, the fire was contained following significant rainfall, which also brought concerns about mudslides and debris flow in the affected areas.
The EPA’s ongoing work, alongside other government agencies and relief organizations, remains vital in ensuring the safe and efficient rebuilding of communities impacted by the disaster. By addressing hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries, the agency is playing a crucial role in safeguarding public and environmental health during the recovery process.
Really liked hearing what Chris had to say. Great info. Thx
the rain has really made the topanga hillsides look black now. wow.
Excellent video on initial disposal process for lithium batteries. Pretty straightforward
Thank you Fabian. I was curious how they neutralize lithium batteries, now I know!
@@anitagendler3812 tell me how .
Lotta people just standing around ..
Lithium is the future...of our demise.
Thank you for steady reporting of the tragedy of Pacific Palisades and Malibu. It daunting tasks. Definitely in hazard waste removal. Part of how we live with lowering our carbon footprint.
@@leslyehowell3390 you're stupid
I wonder what state they are going to take this to? and how it is further handled.
So can the lithium now be recycled into new batteries or just buried in the ground ?
The whole black mess of crushed batteries can be disolved in a liquid that will leech out all the minerals, lithium cobalt etc which can be reused to make new batteries.
That’s what happens with those trash can electric cars. Garbage.
Environmental Disasters.
Indeed.
Another excellent video. Workers running about 8 to 1. I've counted as many as 18 to 1. The rest of the country does not need to help the worlds 5th largest economy. This fire could have been avoided or at least most of it prevented.
How many with hands in pockets ? (usually bosses)
Great video it tells us what going on with lithium battery. We been seeing in your videos taking them out of EV cars now we know what they are doing.
Is anyone ready to have the conversation that electric cars are not safe for humanity, wildlife or Mother Earth?
do they have to decomtaminate all vehicals that come into contact with the hazardous materials? interesting that they sell lithium battery's knowing how bad they are!!!!
I am wondering if they will be able to do the same on a massive scale in the future when almost all cars are electric?
Almost all cars won’t be electric. Yea we really want to take hours to recharge when living in apartments or on holiday or travelling long distances. The plains of Africa or the jungles of South America. The vast distances of Australia.
@rdaw33 in the late 19th and early 20th centuries there were lots of both electric and gas powered cars. When it was realized that gas powered cars were cheaper to operate, electric cars were abandoned. The same will happen today. Electric cars present a greater danger to society, never mind that the working class will never be able to afford them. Replacing a battery is upwards of $25k. They will be gone in a relative heartbeat.
@@JoanneLayman I am sure hope that happens!!!......Let the rich play with electric vehicles, I want something that I can fix myself.
And not one of those vehicles used in the cleanup or transporting workers appears to be electric. Ironic, isn't it.
Not the point?
Send the cost of Super Fund EPA cleanup to Elon Musk. He can dissolve the EPA and FDA and DOT. Private SNAFU. Sustainability Not
Or all those that voted Democrat and for mandates ….make them live their ethics and smugness?
For a few years, all they pushed on us was electric cars. My twenty-four year old gas powered car needed to replaced, so I thought electric was the smart choice. Now it feels like I'm some sort of pariah for having an electric. I'm an older woman and feel like I can't win in trying to do the 'right' thing.
A billionaire influencing the white house to not allow congressional approved funding to be used is illegal.
All of those environment freindly EV's ...
If you've ever taken an HAZMAT class you'd know that gasoline driven cars are just as contaminating. Because of gasoline, oil, regular batteries with acid, and plastics and other contaminants that are absorbed by the ground, the ground itself becomes contaminated. It has to be removed. My own home was lost in the fire during the Santa Rosa Fires of Northern California. All the ground in our lots had to be removed down to 3 1\2 feet because of cars and other contaminants! So when you comment with your maga intelligence, be sure that you realize your commenting with a low education grade.
@@Meofcourse27 Wow...guess you told him...I think you need a little copium
@@Meofcourse27 Maga intelligence is an oxymoron 😂
Posting early today, eh?😊
Smashing burned out batteries ,what a joke this has become