{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000015","name":"Electric Vehicle Battery Pack (lithium-ion)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"energy_storage","tags":["lithium","cobalt","EV","fire_risk","HF_gas","recycling"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Large-format lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles (Tesla, BYD, etc.). Contains lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, and electrolyte solvents (ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate). Fire risk from thermal runaway producing hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas — extremely toxic. Cobalt mining linked to child labor. End-of-life recycling challenges (toxic electrolyte, heavy metals). Normal use exposure minimal, but crash/fire scenarios are catastrophic.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.486,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"available_priority","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Thermal runaway producing HF gas (extremely toxic)","Electrolyte fire with toxic fumes","Cobalt/nickel heavy metal exposure in recycling","Electrical shock hazard (400-800V)","Ethical concerns (cobalt mining child labor)"],"sensitive_populations":"First responders, recycling workers, crash victims","exposure_routes":"Inhalation (fire/crash), dermal (recycling), electrical (maintenance/crash)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation"],"contact_types":[],"users":[],"duration":"catastrophic_event","frequency":"rare","scenarios":["Inhalation exposure during use of Electric Vehicle Battery Pack (lithium-ion)"],"notes":"Normal use: no exposure. Thermal runaway: HF gas, toxic smoke. Recycling: electrolyte and heavy metal exposure"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["Aftermarket/non-OEM battery replacement","Physical damage to battery enclosure","Battery swelling or unusual heat"],"green_flags":["OEM battery with thermal management system","UN 38.3 certified","Manufacturer warranty and monitoring system"],"what_to_ask":["What is the battery chemistry (NMC vs LFP)?","Is there a battery health monitoring system?","What is the recycling/end-of-life plan?"],"alternatives":["LFP (lithium iron phosphate) — no cobalt, lower fire risk","Solid-state batteries (emerging)","Hydrogen fuel cell (no battery fire risk)"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["UN 38.3 (lithium battery transport)","UL 2580 (EV battery safety)","ECE R100 (EV safety)","EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542","NHTSA FMVSS"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"yes (requires specialized recycling)","disposal_guidance":"NEVER landfill; return to manufacturer or certified recycler; fire hazard in waste stream","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"8-15 years / 150,000-300,000 miles"},"formulation":{"form":"sealed_battery_module","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000061","name":"Lithium","role":"active_material","concentration_pct":"2-5"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000131","name":"Cobalt","role":"cathode_material","concentration_pct":"5-15"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000107","name":"Nickel","role":"cathode_material","concentration_pct":"10-30"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Manganese dioxide","role":"cathode_material","concentration_pct":"5-15"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Graphite","role":"anode","concentration_pct":"15-25"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Electrolyte (EC/DMC + LiPF6)","role":"ion_transport","concentration_pct":"10-15"}],"certifications":["UN 38.3 transport testing","UL 2580","ECE R100"]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000061","compound_name":"Lithium","role":"active_material","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000131","compound_name":"Cobalt","role":"cathode","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000107","compound_name":"Nickel","role":"cathode","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"UN 38.3 (lithium battery transport)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_476da74a"},{"type":"regulation","title":"UL 2580 (EV battery safety)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_c6b2dc19"},{"type":"regulation","title":"ECE R100 (EV safety)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_17365f78"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542","jurisdiction":"","year":2023,"id":"src_627fb327"},{"type":"regulation","title":"NHTSA FMVSS","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_464f627b"},{"id":"iarc_nickel_2012","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 49 1990 Volume 100C 2012 Nickel Compounds Group 1; Lung Cancer Nasal Cancer Refinery Workers; Soluble Nickel Sulfate Highest Bioavailability; Ni2+ DMT1 Uptake ROS DNA Damage OGG1 Inhibition; Histone Hypoacetylation Epigenetic Silencing; EU Carc 1A H350i SVHC REACH Authorization; NTP Known Human Carcinogen; EU Nickel Directive 0.5 ug/cm2/week Jewelry; Watts Bath Electroplating; Aquatic Acute 1 H400 WFD Priority Hazardous","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000061"},{"id":"src_001","type":"database","title":"PubChem","year":2026,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000131"},{"id":"src_002","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID3023760","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID3023760","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000107"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:25:43.351Z"}}