Experts review the damage that unused devices can cause to human health and how to say goodbye to them in time and properly to avoid losses.
Not used does not equal harmless
“Vilnius Tech” Head of Electrical Engineering Department prof. Dr. Sonata Tolvaišienė, who recently found a swollen mobile phone in her home drawer, says that unused electronic devices with lithium-ion batteries are no less dangerous than used ones. This is due to several reasons.
“The most important factor is self-discharge. Even when the device is turned off, lithium-ion batteries naturally lose their charge. When the battery is discharged for a long time, it may become unstable and cause a fire. Storage conditions are also important. Pressurized batteries can overheat and cause an internal short circuit. Storage in humid, high or low temperatures can cause battery failure and increase the risk of fire,” she says.
The expert reminds that the effects of damaged lithium-ion batteries are dangerous not only for property, but also for human health. “When a lithium-ion battery catches fire, toxic substances such as hydrofluoric acid can be released, which causes damage to the respiratory system. If the battery is physically damaged, toxic electrolytes can also be released, which are dangerous if they come in contact with the skin or are inhaled.”
According to S. Tolvaišienė, we may have more stored lithium-ion batteries than we think. They hide in the most diverse devices, for example, light-up shoes, electronic toys, toothbrushes, wireless headphones and their cases, electronic cigarettes, etc. The drawers of such devices should be periodically emptied.
It is not worth resurrecting after a break
S. Tolvaišienė notes that it is more difficult to say goodbye to devices without lithium-ion batteries, such as old TVs, desktop computer monitors, various chargers, etc. We keep them because “they’re still good” or “we might still need them”, but after a long time resurrected devices can do more harm than good.
“Over time, various device components degrade. As a result, the device may become unpredictable or malfunction when used again after a long break, even though it worked perfectly before. Also, during long-term storage, the plastic housings and wires of the devices become brittle and break. When using such devices or when they come into contact with moisture, a short circuit may occur,” says the expert.
During storage, such devices also pose a risk, albeit smaller than devices with lithium-ion batteries. For example, TVs or monitors have transformers and other components that generate heat. If kept near flammable materials, they can cause a fire.
The expert points out that it is not worth collecting old electronic devices also because they may simply contain dangerous substances, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, etc. If such devices are damaged or carelessly disassembled, dangerous substances can enter the environment and harm health.
Damage to property and health
Insurance representatives note that we hear a lot about losses caused by devices with lithium-ion batteries, such as scooter explosions, but more often than we think, damage caused by other devices, including the still available “Soviet legacy”, occurs.
“Every month, we record at least a few fires or explosions caused by mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches. Most of them end without serious injuries, but there are also more painful cases. For example, recently a wearable smart watch burned the owner of the watch. We also get incidents caused by devices without lithium-ion batteries, i.e. old TVs, refrigerators or other electronics,” says Julija Judickienė, head of the Product and Risk Assessment Department of the non-life insurance company Compensa Vienna Insurance Group.
According to her, the amount of damages varies depending on the price of the device and the consequences caused. If the fault does not cause a severe fire and does not damage the surrounding property, the damage can amount to several tens, less often several thousands of euros. However, there are also bigger losses – this year there was a fire in the battery of a manual electric drill, which caused the damage of a badly burned private house to over 160,000. euros. When the battery of the scooter exploded, the fire losses amounted to about 20 thousand. euros.
When is it urgent to say goodbye?
If you have leftover lithium-ion batteries or other unused electronics in your drawers or storage, experts advise checking them. If the device looks unusual, like S. Tolvaišienė’s bloated mobile phone, it should be removed from the house immediately.
“One of the most noticeable and common signs that something is wrong with the device is a bulging battery. If a lithium-ion battery swells or deforms, it indicates that gas is building up inside the battery due to chemical reactions. Such a battery poses a significant risk of spontaneous combustion or explosion. You should also be concerned if you notice that the unused device heats up, emits unusual sounds, has a strong chemical smell”, says S. Tolvaišienė.
She also notes that any signs of fluid can indicate a lithium ion electrolyte leak. It is highly toxic and flammable and can cause a fire. Various cracks, scratches, damaged connections mean
so that the device does not need to be used in any way.
Smoke or the smell of burning plastic is a sign that the device should be removed from the house as soon as possible, because the risk of fire or explosion is already very high.
How to get rid of devices properly?
“It is best not to store unused devices separately – long-term storage increases the risk of battery degradation and fire.” When you decide to say goodbye to electronics, it’s important to do it right. Devices containing lithium-ion batteries should not be disposed of with household waste, as harmful substances that enter the soil or groundwater pose a risk to human health and the environment. Such devices need to be delivered to specialized waste collection points”, says S. Tolvaišienė.
She reminds that many cities have collection points where you can drop off electronic waste for free. Some electronics stores also accept old appliances for recycling, such as chargers or small electronics. Larger appliances, such as televisions or monitors, are accepted by bulky waste collection points. If necessary, it is possible to order the service of removing devices from home.
“If the device is no longer needed, but works perfectly and has not been stored for a long time, it can also always be given a second life, that is, try to sell it or give it away. The upcoming holidays are a great time to fundamentally review such unused devices and pass them on to those who may need them much more,” advises the expert.
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**Interview with Prof. Dr. Sonata Tolvaišienė: The Hidden Dangers of Unused Electronic Devices**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Prof. Dr. Sonata Tolvaišienė. Your recent findings on the hazards of unused electronic devices have caught a lot of attention. Can you start by explaining why unused devices pose risks to our health and safety?
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** Thank you for having me. It’s a common misconception that if a device is not in use, it’s harmless. However, unused electronic devices, especially those with lithium-ion batteries, can be quite dangerous. Lithium-ion batteries self-discharge over time, and if they’re left discharged for too long, they can become unstable and potentially cause fires. Factors such as storage conditions—humidity, temperature extremes—also play a crucial role. A battery that’s been pressured can overheat and lead to an internal short circuit, making it a fire hazard.
**Editor:** That’s quite alarming! You mentioned not just the risks to property but also to human health. Can you elaborate on that?
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** Certainly. When a lithium-ion battery catches fire, it can release toxic substances like hydrofluoric acid, which can severely harm the respiratory system. Moreover, if a battery is physically damaged, it may leak harmful electrolytes that can be dangerous upon skin contact or inhalation. We tend to overlook the various devices that contain these batteries, like wireless headphones, electronic toys, and even light-up shoes—all of which can be found in many households.
**Editor:** It sounds like a lot of households may be harboring these risks unknowingly. What about older electronic devices that don’t contain lithium-ion batteries? Are they also a concern?
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** Yes, they certainly are! Devices like old TVs, computer monitors, and chargers have their own risks. Even if they seem functional, components degrade over time, and these devices can become unpredictable or potentially unsafe to use. The structural integrity of plastics and wires can deteriorate, which increases the risk of short circuits, especially if they come into contact with moisture. Additionally, older electronics may contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury.
**Editor:** Compelling points. Julija Judickienė from Compensa Vienna Insurance Group mentions that incidents involving both types of devices are more common than most people think. In your opinion, when should a person urgently consider disposing of an unused device?
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** It’s essential to check your devices regularly. If you notice signs like swelling in the battery, unusual heat, strange sounds, or any chemical smells, those are clear indicators that the device should be removed from your home immediately. Visible cracks or leaks are also serious warning signs. If there’s smoke or the smell of burning plastic, the risk of fire or explosion is already high—don’t wait!
**Editor:** Great advice. Now, for those who decide it’s time to dispose of these devices, what’s the proper way to do so?
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** The best approach is not to store unused devices indefinitely. Instead, when you’re ready to part with them, it’s crucial to dispose of them properly—this might mean taking them to a recycling facility that handles e-waste or a program designed for electronic disposal. This helps mitigate risks associated with long-term storage while ensuring the hazardous materials inside are dealt with appropriately.
**Editor:** Thank you for sharing this critical information. Clearly, we all need to be vigilant about our unused electronics to protect ourselves and our property.
**Prof. Dr. Tolvaišienė:** Absolutely. Awareness is the first step toward safety. Thank you for having me!
