![Middle Schoolers Get Charged with Arson after Creating Toxic Fumes](http://townsquare.media/site/79/files/2023/03/attachment-Lithium-Toxic-Reaction.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Middle Schoolers Get Charged with Arson after Creating Toxic Fumes
Did you know you're not supposed to put lithium batteries in the trash, recycling, nor down the toilet? Well, some Catskill Middle School students sure weren't aware and are facing serious charges because of it. Apparently, you're supposed to dispose of lithium batteries in a very specific way:
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and devices containing these batteries should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. They can cause fires during transport or at landfills and recyclers. Instead, Li-ion batteries should be taken to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection points. -United States Environmental Protection Agency, epa.gov
What Happens When You Mix Lithium and Water?
As you can see, lithium and water do not mix well. So as you can imagine, things did not end well when three Catskill middle schoolers put lithium from batteries down one of the school toilets. Two of the students are 12 years old while the third is 13. Not only did they damage the toilet, but it caused a chemical reaction that released toxic fumes. The Catskill Fire Department came after hearing reports of smoke in a bathroom at the middle school (WRGB Staff, cbs6albany.com).
Lithium reacts intensely with water, forming lithium hydroxide and highly flammable hydrogen. The colourless solution is highly alkalic. -Brownell Limited, Brownell.co.uk
Sadly, this one misjudgement caused the three students to be "arrested, charged with arson, criminal mischief, conspiracy, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a noxious material" (WRGB Staff, cbs6albany.com).
If you want to avoid making a mistake like this and need help figuring out how to throw away something potentially hazardous, use Earth 911's handy recycling tool. Simply put in your search parameters and they'll tell you exactly what you should do.
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