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The Palisades and the Eaton fires have led to the most extensive lithium-ion battery cleanup in history, according to EPA incident commander Steve Calanog.
The federal cleanup efforts are in Phase 1, and the efforts are focused on removing hazardous materials, including lithium-ion batteries, according to Fox News.
Although the batteries may appear intact, they are still likely to have internal damage, which can lead to the off-gassing of toxic substances, Fox News said.
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Batteries can be ejected from vehicles during fires creating additional hazards, the United Recyclers Group (URG) said.
Due to their potential for sudden ignition, the URG said that lithium-ion batteries are now being treated as unexploded ordnance.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Cleanup Process
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is leading efforts to identify and de-ionize lithium-ion batteries before disposal, Fox News said.
To prevent chain reaction, cleanup crews are using sand pits to store compromised batteries, according to Automotive News.
Toxic substances such as lead and battery acid are present in burned vehicles; this can create serious health risks, The Guardian said.
Additionally, the smoke from these lithium-ion fires is able to contain hydrofluoric acid, which can cause severe burns and respiratory issues, according to Automotive News.
Resident Experiences Post-Fire and Battery Recycling Initiatives
Some residents in the Pacific Palisades have begun returning in order to sift through the debris and look for personal belongings, AP News said.
However, some homeowners are concerned about lingering toxic residue from burned vehicles as well as structures, according to The Guardian.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Energy launched a $14 million program to create over one thousand battery collection sites nationwide.
This is set due to the fact that they want to improve battery recycling as well as disposal, Wired said.