Compliance to battery safety requirements

Research published earlier this year has shown an increase in cases of serious injury and death caused by swallowing of lithium button cells.

The research, conducted by the US National Capital Poison Centre (NCPC) along with Georgetown University and the University of Virginia, has shown that seven times more injuries were taking place than previously. This resulted in warnings in online and conventional media about the potential danger to children of products containing lithium button cells.

The research showed that roughly 3500 ingestion cases occurred annually. Those involved children under four, and, in 90% of cases involved, CR- and BR-type lithium button cells marked 2016, 2025 and 2032, occurred most frequently.

3% of the 3500 cases lead to moderate to severe injuries, which represents a 0.5% increase over the previous 10 years. Especially dangerous are 3 V lithium batteries. The 20 mm size of these batteries means that there is a particularly high risk that if swallowed they will become stuck in the oesophagus. If this happens, contact between saliva and the battery can result in the generation of hydroxide possibly leading to perforations in the wall of the oesophagus within two hours.

The NCPC report showed that two thirds of battery ingestions were the result of children removing batteries from household products, including, in particular, 20 mm lithium coin batteries from PDAs, key fobs, watches, handheld games and remote controls. The remaining third of incidents related to loose batteries found in their original packaging.

The report prompted a response from the US National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) to recommend that manufacturers ensure that measures regarding lithium coin batteries detailed in the ASTM F963-07 standard for toy manufacturers be adhered to. Key aspects of this standard include the requirement that warnings regarding batteries appear on product packaging, that clear instructions regarding battery use come with products, and that products be designed to minimise the danger of children gaining access to battery compartments by requiring a tool to access to these compartments.