Batteries can be transported safely

I read with interest and then dismay the article about lithium-ion batteries that asked, "Are these batteries the next threat to flier safety?" The answer is no (Cover story, Money, Aug. 16).

Over the past decade, passengers have brought millions of lithium-ion batteries and millions of portable electronic devices — cellphones, laptop computers, portable DVD players, even medical defibrillators — on board an aircraft without incident. These notebook batteries and products also have been transported by air safely when those shipments complied with existing hazardous materials regulations.

Of the 113 battery "incidents" cited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), more than half did not involve lithium-ion or lithium-metal batteries. Many cases were due to shippers who failed to comply with existing hazardous materials regulations.

There also is a misperception about regulation of products carried onto aircraft by passengers. Hazardous materials regulations in fact do impose carry-on restrictions for small lithium-ion batteries. The regulations state that passengers may carry these batteries or equipment onboard the aircraft only if intended for personal use. The regulations also require each spare battery be individually protected to prevent short circuits. The passenger who brought 58 cellphones, batteries and chargers on the American Airlines flight appeared to be in violation of the rules.

Finally, FAA testing has demonstrated that fire suppression agents installed in transport category aircraft are effective in suppressing a lithium-ion battery fire, and testing by the UK Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that any fire that might occur in a passenger cabin can readily be controlled.

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