{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000140","name":"Power Bank and Portable Charger Safety (Counterfeit Li-Ion, No UL Certification, Airline Restrictions, Luggage Fire)","category":{"primary":"specialized","secondary":"electronics","tags":["power bank","portable charger","counterfeit","lithium","UL","airline","fire","luggage","travel"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Power banks are the most commonly carried lithium-ion device globally — 190 million units sold annually. Counterfeit and non-certified power banks are a significant fire risk: a 2019 Which? UK investigation found 60% of power banks purchased from online marketplaces failed basic safety tests. Overcharge protection, temperature cutoff, and short-circuit protection circuits are absent in cheap counterfeits. FAA reported 463 lithium battery incidents on aircraft from 2006-2023, with power banks being the leading device category. Power banks >100Wh require airline approval for carry-on and are prohibited in checked luggage at any capacity. CPSC has issued 12 recalls of power bank brands since 2016 for fire and explosion hazards. Common failure: cells from recycled laptop batteries repackaged into new power bank housings with overstated capacity (advertised 20,000 mAh, actual 5,000 mAh — protection circuits calibrated wrong).","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"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 (enclosed cabin), children (playing with power banks), users of counterfeit products from online marketplaces","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["60% of online marketplace power banks failed safety tests (Which? UK 2019)","FAA: 463 lithium battery air incidents, power banks leading category","Counterfeit cells: recycled laptop batteries with overstated capacity","CPSC: 12+ power bank recalls for fire/explosion since 2016"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation (toxic smoke from battery fire). Thermal (fire/explosion during charging or mechanical damage). Dermal (chemical burns from electrolyte)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"seconds_to_minutes","frequency":"rare","scenarios":["Counterfeit power bank thermal runaway during charging","Luggage fire: power bank in checked baggage (prohibited by FAA)","Aircraft cabin incident: power bank fire during flight","Overnight charging on bed/couch near combustibles"],"notes":"FAA: 463 lithium battery air incidents (2006-2023) — power banks are the most common device category. Airlines: power banks prohibited in checked luggage at any capacity. Carry-on: <100Wh allowed without approval, 100-160Wh with airline approval, >160Wh prohibited. Which? UK (2019): 60% of online marketplace power banks failed safety tests (overcharge, short circuit, fire resistance). CPSC: 12+ power bank recalls since 2016 (RAVPower, Lumsing, Jackery, others). Counterfeit cell reuse: recycled laptop 18650 cells repackaged in new housings — capacity overstated by 3-4x, BMS calibrated incorrectly, leading to overcharge and thermal runaway. UL 2056: safety standard specifically for power banks (2017). UL 62368-1: general IT/AV equipment safety standard."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Purchase only UL 2056-certified power banks from reputable brands (Anker, Samsung, Belkin). Avoid suspiciously cheap power banks from online marketplaces (if price seems too low for stated capacity, cells may be counterfeit). Never place power banks in checked luggage — FAA prohibits lithium batteries in cargo hold. Carry power banks in carry-on baggage only. Do not charge power banks overnight or on combustible surfaces. Dispose of any power bank that becomes hot, swollen, or emits odor.","safer_alternatives":["UL 2056-certified power banks from verified manufacturers","Known-brand power banks (Anker, Samsung, Belkin, Mophie)","LFP-chemistry power banks (emerging, safer thermal profile)","Solar chargers for outdoor use (no lithium storage during transport)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FAA Lithium Battery Air Transport Rules + UL 2056 Power Bank Standard","citation":"49 CFR 175.10; FAA Pack Safe; UL 2056 (2017)","requirements":"FAA: lithium batteries prohibited in checked luggage. Carry-on: <100Wh without approval, 100-160Wh with airline approval, >160Wh prohibited. UL 2056: power bank-specific safety standard (overcharge, short circuit, crush, fire). CPSC: recall authority under CPSA for unsafe power banks.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2017-03-01","enforcing_agency":"FAA / CPSC / UL","penalties":"FAA: up to $232,666 per hazmat violation","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":"Recycle at Call2Recycle drop-offs (Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy) or hazardous waste facilities. Cover terminals with electrical tape before drop-off. Never dispose in household trash or recycling — fire risk in waste stream. Swollen power banks: do not transport in enclosed vehicle space, take directly to hazardous waste.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"2-3 years (300-500 cycles)"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000115","compound_name":null,"role":"electrolyte_salt","typical_concentration":"1-1.2M LiPF6"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000103","compound_name":null,"role":"active_material","typical_concentration":"lithium-ion cells (18650 or pouch)"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["power bank and portable charger safety (counterfeit li-ion, no ul certification, airline restrictions, luggage fire)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"3M","manufacturer":"3M","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Safety and specialty product conglomerate"},{"brand":"Honeywell","manufacturer":"Honeywell","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Safety equipment and technology"},{"brand":"DuPont","manufacturer":"DuPont","market_position":"professional","notable":"Chemical and safety products"}],"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 Air Transport Rules + UL 2056 Power Bank Standard (49 CFR 175.10; FAA Pack Safe; UL 2056 (2017))","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2017,"citation":"49 CFR 175.10; FAA Pack Safe; UL 2056 (2017)","id":"src_334bd94f"},{"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"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_4e21f2c3","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:22:13.887Z"}}