Environmental Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, August 18, 2025

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it had entered into a settlement agreement with an energy storage company to direct cleanup in the wake of a lithium-ion battery fire that occurred at the company’s facility in San Diego. 

According to the EPA, in May of last year, a fire broke out at a location containing approximately 14,796 nickel-manganese-cobalt lithium-ion batteries. The agency is working in coordination with local fire authorities and the County of San Diego to oversee the cleanup effort undertaken by the responsible party because fire-damaged batteries pose ongoing risks of fire, explosion, and chemical releases.

“In this agreement, EPA is requiring comprehensive safety measures and monitoring to protect nearby residents and workers during the cleanup process,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The company is considered a responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and must bear the costs of the cleanup. They are required to conduct environmental monitoring during all battery handling operations; safely remove, package, and dispose of all impacted battery packs; and submit detailed work plans and progress reports to the EPA.”

When lithium batteries catch fire, they can be extremely difficult to extinguish. When a fire does occur, a lithium battery fire is not just dangerous because of the flames. Toxic gas emissions could include not only hydrogen fluoride, but also hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen gas. There could also be exposure risks to particulate matter (PM) containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, iron, and other substances.

To help ensure the safety of workers and the public following a lithium-ion battery fire, the scientists at LA Testing’s California laboratories provide environmental, industrial hygiene, and material testing services. They also offer sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments, and personal protective equipment to detect and mitigate potential exposure hazards. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about lithium batteries and environmental, health, and safety concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/YAALnww_JVU 

To learn more about this or other testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.

 

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental, indoor air quality and material testing for mercury, asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates, and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health, and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, and San Diego.