On July 1, a fire broke out in the Seoul subway system, caused by a lithium battery installed in a maintenance vehicle. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 2 (Korea Bizwire) –A recent spate of lithium battery-related incidents in South Korea has thrust the safety and environmental concerns surrounding these ubiquitous power sources into the spotlight.
From public transportation mishaps to industrial accidents and mounting disposal challenges, the risks associated with lithium batteries are becoming increasingly apparent.
On July 1, a fire broke out in the Seoul subway system, caused by a lithium battery installed in a maintenance vehicle. The incident occurred at approximately 3:42 a.m. on a motor car used for track maintenance as it was moving along the southbound track of Line 3 at Daechi Station, prompting an immediate response from emergency services.
A fire department official stated, “The burning battery was quickly detached and submerged in a water tank to extinguish the flames. The motor car was then towed to the Suseo train depot.”
The fire was fully extinguished by 8:41 a.m., about five hours after it began. While there were no casualties, the incident caused significant disruptions to subway services.
Train operations between Apgujeong and Suseo stations were suspended in both directions immediately after the accident. Service resumed at around 5:40 a.m., although Daechi Station remained closed to passengers as smoke evacuation procedures were carried out. The station returned to normal operations at 6:15 a.m.
This subway incident came just a week after a deadly blaze at a lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, which claimed 23 lives and injured eight others. The tragedy at the Aricell factory on June 24 was reportedly triggered by a single primary battery catching fire, leading to a chain of explosions.
These events underscore the volatile nature of lithium batteries. Experts explain that fires can occur when the separator between the positive and negative electrodes is damaged, causing them to come into contact and resulting in rapid overheating.
Firefighters retrieve the bodies of workers at the site of a fire at a primary lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on June 24, 2024. The fire reportedly left about 20 workers dead. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
This heat can lead to fire and explosion, with lithium battery fires being notoriously difficult to extinguish using conventional methods.
The risks extend beyond industrial and public transport settings. The proliferation of devices using lithium-based batteries in everyday life has led to a dramatic increase in their disposal, raising significant environmental and safety concerns.
According to data from the Korea Battery Recycling Association, the volume of discarded lithium batteries has surged nearly fivefold over the past decade.
In 2023 alone, the disposal of primary lithium batteries — non-rechargeable cells that use lithium or lithium compounds as the positive electrode — reached 548,152 kilograms. These batteries are found in a wide range of items, from wristwatches and electronic thermometers to car remote controls and industrial equipment.
They are prized for their light weight, high capacity, and long operational life, making them popular in portable electronic devices, as well as industrial and military applications.
The increase in lithium battery disposal is particularly stark when compared to more traditional battery types. While the disposal of alkaline/manganese batteries increased by 1.5 times from 2012 to 2022, lithium battery disposal saw a 4.9-fold increase over the same period.
This surge in disposal has created new challenges for waste management. Experts stress that used lithium batteries must be separated from other devices and disposed of in dedicated collection bins.
Lithium’s high reactivity with air and heat means that even primary batteries can explode and ignite if exposed to high temperatures or moisture. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
Mixing these batteries with general waste can lead to fire or explosion risks during sorting and recycling processes, as lithium is highly reactive and can ignite when exposed to high temperatures, steam, or water.
Under South Korea’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, primary lithium batteries are subject to mandatory recycling quotas. The current recycling obligation rate is set at 50.6%, meaning that out of the 548,152 kilograms disposed of in 2023, 277,365 kilograms should have been recycled.
However, the actual recycling amount fell slightly short of the target, reaching 269,431 kilograms, or 97% of the goal. This shortfall in recycling rates for lithium batteries, compared to other battery types, suggests a lack of awareness about proper disposal methods among consumers.
The frequency of battery-related fires in South Korea is also concerning. According to official data, there were 161 such incidents in 2022 and 160 in 2023, showing an upward trend in recent years.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and regulations surrounding the use of lithium batteries in various applications, from public transportation to manufacturing facilities.
In response to these mounting concerns, South Korean authorities are taking action. The government has announced plans to develop new fire-extinguishing agents specifically designed to combat fires involving chemical substances like lithium.
Additionally, the Ministry of Environment has launched campaigns to promote proper battery separation and disposal.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
