E-smoking puts airline passengers at risk… What is the relationship?
Vaping is very popular among people, with more smokers using these devices in recent years. In October 2013, just 1.3 per cent of the UK population said they used them regularly. By 2023, the number has increased to 10 percent, according to a report by the British Medical Journal, according to the Telegraph newspaper.
Increased use presents a new problem for passengers and airline employees; Devices powered by lithium-ion batteries – including e-cigarettes, laptops and phones – can get hot. In the worst-case scenario, this could cause fires or explosions, with vaping devices becoming a particular problem – as demonstrated on Tuesday, when a bag containing e-cigarettes exploded, causing an EasyJet flight from Crete to London.
A new report from UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE), a US non-profit organization, reveals that e-cigarettes were responsible for 35 percent of device overheating incidents on US flights reported through their system in 2023.
These incidents increased by 28 percent between 2019 and 2023, according to the report. As vaping devices become more popular, the chance of one of them overheating during a trip also increases.
But another factor that may be contributing to the continued lack of awareness of the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, despite information published by airlines when purchasing tickets, during check-in and during safety announcements on board.
“Passengers are often unaware that many of the devices they carry on board are powered by lithium-ion batteries, let alone the dangers that come with them, and it is very it’s hard to solve a problem they don’t know exists,” said David Roth, director of technology and systems at ULSE.
Why do lithium-ion batteries get hot?
A failure in a lithium-ion cell can mean it is overheating, triggering a process known as thermal runaway. As the battery heats up during operation, it can release flammable gases, catch fire or explode. Since these batteries burn at high temperatures (up to 900°C), the resulting problems can be difficult to maintain.
The risks arise with cheap devices, due to lower manufacturing standards. “It’s always better to spend more and use the right charger, a brand that meets safety regulations, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,” said Richard Bailey, managing director of Environmental Protection Systems, which designed the fire protection bag AvSax, which is used by more than 100 airlines for the device.
“Proper handling reduces the risk,” said Andrew McConnell, a spokesman for the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Power banks and extra batteries must be placed in the cabin bag, and turned off completely.
Especially the dangers of e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are second only to powering chargers in lithium battery accidents on airplanes, even though people can’t use them there. We can only assume this is because some e-cigarettes are disposable and run on cheap batteries, according to Bailey.
“It is possible that some people will throw their devices into their carry-on luggage,” said John Dunne, director general of the UK E-Cigarette Industry Association. By doing this, they can promote the issue. “We always recommend that people keep their devices in suitable hard bags available from specialist stores, and remove batteries from devices before traveling where possible , so that the device does not activate during the journey.”
Keep tools within easy reach, rather than at the bottom of a bag where they can be accidentally triggered. If the device seems unnatural when in use, turn it off safely before going on vacation.
“Some consumers don’t realize that these batteries have a limited life,” Don says. So they have to make sure that it is not damaged in any way and replace it regularly. They should also check for any external damage, such as cracked packaging.”
What to do if your device overheats on the plane?
“If an electronic device overheats, people should contact the team immediately,” Bailey explains. “If passengers move their seats to try and get it back, they could crush it, resulting in a heat leak.” “
Cabin crew are trained in fire fighting techniquesrelated to these devices, and some use fireproof bagslike AvSax to contain the devices and help the batteries cool down.
“All the cabin crew have to do is pour at least two liters of water into the lithium battery containment bag (AvSax) and then drop the heater into it,” Billy explains. The water activates the polymer gel inside the bag, causing it to expand around the device. “If the device continues, or even explodes, the AvSax fire extinguisher bag is strong enough to absorb the shock. “
