Lithium batteries are primary batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. There’s been a recent spade of exploding batteries at airports causing personal injury and U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a press release regarding its presence on flights in and out of USA. Air travelers will no longer be able to pack loose lithium batteries in checked luggage beginning Jan. 1, 2008. The ban affects shipments of non-rechargeable lithium batteries, such as those made by Energizer Holdings Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co.’s Duracell brand.
Further checks on the press release states:
Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers. If packed in plastic bags, batteries may be in carryon baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger. Lithium batteries are considered hazardous materials because they can overheat and ignite in certain conditions. Safety testing conducted by the FAA found that current aircraft cargo fire suppression system would not be capable of suppressing a fire if a shipment of non-rechargeable lithium batteries were ignited in flight.
In the press release, the DOT states that you can check lithium batteries in checked luggage “if they are installed in electronic devices, or in carry-on baggage if stored in plastic bags.” However the Safe Travel website clarifies this further by saying that batteries that aren’t installed in devices are forbidden.
Lithium batteries banned on USA flights via
