Over 550,000 Lithium-Ion Battery Products Recalled Over Fire Risk

December 23, 2024 TruthUSA

Power banks manufactured in China were available on Amazon.com at prices ranging from $14 to $25 between December 2018 and September 2024.

Two companies are recalling a total of 551,000 lithium batteries sold throughout the United States due to multiple reports of customer injuries.

Shenzhen Charmast Technology, based in China, is recalling approximately 488,000 units of its W1056 model power banks sold in the U.S. because the lithium-ion battery can “overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers,” as reported in a December 19 notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

On the same day, Chervon North America, based in Illinois, announced the withdrawal of about 63,000 units of lithium-ion batteries used in lawnmowers and outdoor tools due to similar concerns.

Charmast reported receiving 44 incidents of power banks “expanding, igniting, melting, overheating, or smoking.” Among these were four cases involving blisters or burns suffered by customers.

The power bank, produced in China, was offered on Amazon.com for between $14 and $25 during the period from December 2018 to September 2024.

Consumers who have purchased these power banks are advised to discontinue their use and reach out to Charmast for information on obtaining a refund, as stated in the notice.

According to the CPSC, “Recalled lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of in compliance with any local and state regulations, adhering to procedures set by the municipal recycling center for defective or recalled lithium batteries, since these potentially hazardous batteries require different handling than standard batteries.”

“Do not discard this recalled power bank in the trash. Do not place this recalled power bank in battery recycling bins available at various retail and home improvement locations.”

The recall for Chervon, which affects its SKIL 40V 5.0Ah batteries, follows over 100 reports of overheating, fires, and thermal incidents. This includes 49 cases of property damage and eight instances of smoke inhalation or minor burns.

These batteries, made in China, were produced prior to May 1, 2021, and are marked with “PWRCORE 40.”

They were sold through hardware and home improvement retailers such as Lowe’s from October 2019 to December 2024, as well as online via Lowes.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon.com. The retail price was $170 for individual batteries and about $400 for packaged kits with lawnmowers.

In addition to the 63,000 units recalled in the U.S., 359 units are being recalled from Canada.

Consumers can reach out to Chervon for a free replacement or refund. The company will provide a battery collection kit for consumers to return the recalled battery and will offer the requested remedy upon its return.

Why Lithium Fires Are So Dangerous

Fires caused by lithium batteries tend to be “more intense and more hazardous” compared to other fire sources, warned Daniel Flynn, chief fire marshal of the New York City Fire Department, during a testimony to Congress this year.

“They undergo a series of explosions, releasing highly toxic gases and projecting flaming cells that can travel significant distances, increasing the likelihood of the fire spreading,” he stated. “These fires create extremely dangerous conditions immediately, making escape significantly difficult for anyone nearby.”

Moreover, extinguishing lithium fires poses challenges for firefighters as it often requires large quantities of water, he noted.

The U.S. Fire Administration has stated that there is a risk of reignition even after a lithium fire is extinguished, according to their official releases.

Some states are actively tracking lithium fires. In October 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services launched a tool to monitor such incidents.

This tool revealed 50 incidents over a six-month timeframe, more than double the number recorded by a national fire reporting system.

“We had anecdotal evidence that lithium-ion batteries were involved in more fires than current data suggested,” stated State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

In New York City alone, there were 268 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023, with the majority tied to e-bikes.

“Lithium-ion batteries can store a significant amount of energy and pose a danger if not handled correctly,” cautioned the city Fire Department in their safety guidelines.

In August 2023, CPSC convened experts to discuss the fire risks associated with lithium batteries in e-bikes.

These experts advocated for implementing a “strong mandatory safety standard” for such vehicles, according to a statement from CPSC Commissioner Richard Trumka.

“To prevent thermal runaway (when a lithium-ion cell enters a hazardous self-heating state), some batteries already monitor conditions such as voltage and temperature,” he stated.

“Experts indicated that it would be beneficial for them to also monitor the battery’s state of health, including degradation and damage, as a means to alert consumers of potential risks before it becomes critical.”

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