NEWS-06
a half million brand-new smartphones that were recalled last week because
their batteries can catch fire.>
ion batteries for years. This video shows the impact of a fire in a
simulated cargo hold. The agency and airlines are now warning flyers not to
use or charge the recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board aircraft because
of a fire risk linked to its batteries.>
SCOTT PELLEY: The next few months will be busy for Samsung as it replaces two and a half million brand-new smartphones that were recalled last week because their batteries can catch fire. The same type of battery is used in all kinds of devices. Here`s Kris Van Cleave.
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KRIS VAN CLEAVE (CBS News Transportation Correspondent): The FAA has been concerned about the fire danger posed by lithium-ion batteries for years. This video shows the impact of a fire in a simulated cargo hold. The agency and airlines are now warning flyers not to use or charge the recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board aircraft because of a fire risk linked to its batteries. Lithium-ion batteries power as many as ninety-five percent of rechargeable electronic devices--cell phones, tablets, laptops, children`s toys, even electric cars.
DAN STEINGART: The more energy you put into a small amount of space, the more likely something bad will happen if-- if it`s operated in-- incorrectly.
KRIS VAN CLEAVE: Princeton University assistant professor Dan Steingart studies lithium-ion batteries. He says the danger comes if they are overcharged or overheat.
DAN STEINGART: It`s like causing a little firecracker to go off within the battery. And then if you have one firecracker surrounded by many other firecrackers, and if firecracker goes off, it will trigger the other ones to go off pop pop pop.
KRIS VAN CLEAVE: Most lithium-ion batteries are made in Asia and the vast majority work without an issue, unless there is a manufacturing flaw, as was the case in the Samsung recall. Recalled hoverboards often included cheaply made batteries that weren`t designed for that kind of use, which greatly increased the risk of overheating and fire. George Crabtree is with the Argonne National Laboratory.
GEORGE CRABTREE: The only warning sign is it will get too hot. If you happen to be holding it, in your-- your phone in your hand or it`s in your pocket, you may notice that. And the right thing to do is turn the phone off.
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KRIS VAN CLEAVE: Some perspective here--in 2015 3.5 billion passengers flew. The FAA received reports of eleven smoke or fire incidents involving a lithium-ion battery. Many of those were in checked bags. Scott, as of April of this year, lithium-ion batteries are no longer allowed to be checked or carried as cargo on commercial flights.
SCOTT PELLEY: If it heats up, turn it off. Kris Van Cleave, thanks.
Coming up next, emergency rooms filling up with soccer injuries.
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