FAA Data Shows Exploding Batteries Are Rare, Small Risk

ericatcw writes "While the US government is intent on adding new rules around the shipment and carrying of Lithium-Ion batteries on passenger and cargo planes, data from its own Federal Aviation Agency show that the risk of being on an airplane where someone — not necessarily you — suffers a minor injury due to a battery is only one in 28 million, reports Computerworld, which analyzed the data (skip to the chart here) using the free Tableau Public data visualization service. Getting killed in a car accident, by contrast, is 4,300 times more likely. Opponents say the rules could raise the cost of shopping online and add hassles for fliers and consumers."

Re:The real problem

[RajivSLK]

This rule also applies to the shipment of batteries on Cargo planes...

don't just sit there

[drfireman]

For what it's worth, you can comment on the proposed legislation here:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a75fb2 [regulations.gov]

Of course, do your research first.

Re:Perspective.

[Anonymous Coward]

The difference being that batteries don't become more encouraged to explode when other batteries explode and the damage caused by battery explosions is minimal at best.

Re:Who are these people who feel safer when...

[AHuxley]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Airlines_Flight_434 [wikipedia.org]
showed what liquids could do.
The "terrorist to date" that has used fluids succeeded in killing and getting himself off the flight.
The problem is a laptop was recovered from the plot and might have pointed to 911 ect.
So they want to ban liquids but promoted people dont really want to much chatter about the past ;)

Re:Perspective.

[ceoyoyo]

I figured it out for another story a few months ago. Terrorists would have to detonate a nuclear weapon in a Hiroshima scale attack about every four years to bring the terrorism risk up to the fatal car accident risk.

Re:Sanity

[rockNme2349]

This is already known by anyone in the field. IIRC the EPA values each American life at around $7 million. They use this figure to make decisions on whether safety features are worth the cost. I believe the value is based around the gross output of the average working person over the span of their life.

Re:The real problem

[Hollovoid]

Most modern batteries (like the ones made where I work) have short circuit protection built in from the ground up, so simply using a paperclip would only make it get a little warm before it shut itself down (latest gen models can even reactivate when the short circuit condition is rectified). This is done by both a chip that monitors the battery, and the separator itself in extreme conditions.