In recent weeks, Rapid City's Solid Waste Division has reported four incidents of cell phone battery fires at the landfill, prompting a reminder to the public about the dangers of lithium batteries.
Not only are these batteries hazardous for solid waste employees, but they also pose risks to the public. Lithium batteries are commonly found in electronics.
They are easily identifiable by warning labels on the devices indicating their presence or that they cannot be thrown away. The concern with lithium batteries is that they can overheat easily and can ignite if punctured or damaged during the disposal process. Ria Hannon, Education and Outreach Coordinator for Rapid City Solid Waste, highlights the potential dangers associated with lithium batteries.