{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000082","name":"Power Bank / Portable Battery (Lithium Fire Risk, Airline Restrictions)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"electronics","tags":["power bank","portable battery","lithium","fire","airline","Wh","carry-on"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Portable lithium-ion/polymer power banks for charging mobile devices. Airline restrictions: FAA prohibits power banks in checked baggage; carry-on limited to 100 Wh (27,000 mAh at 3.7V) without approval, 100-160 Wh with airline approval, >160 Wh prohibited. Counterfeit/no-name power banks with fake capacity ratings and inadequate protection circuits are the primary fire risk. Quality power banks (Anker, Samsung, Apple) have multilayer safety protection.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"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":{"sensitive_populations":"air travelers, owners of counterfeit power banks","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["Counterfeit power banks: fake capacity, no protection circuits, fire risk","FAA: NEVER put lithium power banks in checked baggage","Thermal runaway from physical damage or manufacturing defect","Carry-on limit: 100 Wh without approval"],"exposure_routes":"Thermal (fire/burn from defect); no chemical exposure during normal use"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["skin_brief"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Power bank fire/thermal runaway from damage, defect, or counterfeit cells","Checked baggage fire from undeclared lithium batteries (FAA prohibited)","Counterfeit power banks with fake capacity and no protection circuits","Carrying in pants pocket: heat + pressure risk"],"notes":"FAA: lithium batteries must be in carry-on (never checked). TSA: power bank ≤100 Wh = no restriction, 100-160 Wh = airline approval, >160 Wh = prohibited on aircraft. Power bank capacity: Wh = mAh × V / 1000. A 26,800 mAh / 3.7V = 99.16 Wh (just under limit). Buy from reputable brands with UL certification — counterfeit power banks are the primary fire hazard."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Buy UL-certified power banks from reputable brands only. Never check power banks in airline luggage — carry-on only. Do not use damaged, swollen, or hot power banks. Know your Wh capacity for airline compliance (Wh = mAh × 3.7 / 1000). Discard safely if swollen or damaged.","safer_alternatives":["UL-certified power banks from established brands (Anker, Samsung, Apple)","Lower capacity for air travel (stays under 100 Wh limit)","Solar charging panel (no lithium storage — charges device directly)","Charging at outlets rather than carrying large power banks"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Non-certified or counterfeit electronic product","meaning":"May lack safety protections.","action":"Buy from reputable brands with UL/FCC certification."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"UL, FCC, or CE certification mark","meaning":"Tested to applicable safety standards.","verification":"Verify certification on manufacturer website."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Does this product have applicable safety certifications?","why_it_matters":"Certification verifies electrical safety, EMF compliance, and material standards.","good_answer":"UL listed, FCC certified, CE marked.","bad_answer":"No certifications or unknown brand."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"UL-certified power banks from established brands","notes":"Anker, Samsung, Apple"},{"name":"Lower capacity for air travel","notes":"stays under 100 Wh limit"},{"name":"Solar charging panel","notes":"no lithium storage — charges device directly"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FAA lithium battery carry restrictions","citation":"49 CFR 175.10","requirements":"Lithium batteries/power banks: carry-on only (never checked). ≤100 Wh no restriction. 100-160 Wh airline approval. >160 Wh prohibited.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"FAA/TSA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Battery recycling (Call2Recycle, Best Buy). NEVER regular waste — fire hazard.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"2-4_years"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000115","name":"Lithium hexafluorophosphate","role":"electrolyte","concentration_pct":"varies"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000115","compound_name":null,"role":"electrolyte","typical_concentration":"varies"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["power bank / portable battery (lithium fire risk, airline restrictions)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"MANN-FILTER","manufacturer":"MANN+HUMMEL","market_position":"professional","notable":"OEM cabin air filter manufacturer"},{"brand":"Bosch","manufacturer":"Robert Bosch","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Aftermarket cabin air filters"},{"brand":"K&N","manufacturer":"K&N Engineering","market_position":"premium","notable":"Washable cabin air filters"}],"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":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FAA lithium battery carry restrictions (49 CFR 175.10)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"49 CFR 175.10","id":"src_f3e1623d"},{"id":"src_001","type":"database","title":"PubChem Compound CID 23688915","url":"https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/23688915","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Chemical identity, properties, safety data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000115"},{"id":"src_002","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID2066698","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID2066698","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-ino-000115"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:00.782Z"}}