Electronic Cigarettes Causing Fires, Injuries Due to Faulty Batteries

As electronic cigarettes have gained popularity, the number of e-cigarette explosions has rapidly increased, drawing the attention of everyone from the American Medical Association to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as vape pens or Advanced Personal Vaporizers (APVs), are powered by lithium ion batteries that vary in quality.

The batteries heat an aerosol cartridge that releases vapor as the user inhales. E-cigarettes have become popular because of the variety of flavors and the choices of nicotine levels.

When the batteries inside an electronic cigarette malfunction or overheat, the device can explode with no warning.

According to an investigation by Denver7, an ABC affiliate, the number of exploding e-cigs has increased greatly over the past two years. Of the 253 cases since 2011 uncovered by Denver7, 131 were near parts of the body upon explosion. Approximately 48 percent of these explosions occurred while in the consumer’s pocket, and 28 percent occurred as the device was held up near a person’s face.

A patron at a movie theater in Mesa, Ariz. experienced an electronic cigarette explosion while the device was in his pocket in early February. Theater attendees who saw the flash and heard the explosion initially feared a gunman was firing. Panicked theater goers fled the smoke-filled room and were given free passes to attend another movie at a later date.

A 14-year-old girl was burned while riding on the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios in Orlando when a nearby college student’s electronic cigarette exploded.

The device was in the college student’s pocket when it exploded and sent a ball of flame into the air. The girl was taken to a hospital and treated for mild to moderate burns.

The FAA has become concerned due to the number of electronic cigarette explosions aboard airplanes. According the Denver7’s investigation, 22 incidents of e-cig explosions occurred on airplanes while in flight since 2009, and 18 of them were within the past two years.

In 2015, the FAA mandated that no electronic cigarettes were allowed in checked baggage or to be charging while on airplanes. In March 2016, the FAA banned e-cigs except in carry-on luggage.

Still, incidents continue.

The Denver7 investigation uncovered two electronic cigarette incidents last year at Denver International Airport after the ban went into effect. An electronic cigarette caught fire while it was in a person’s carry-on backpack, necessitating the evacuation of a Spirit Airlines flight in June.  In September, an observant baggage handler spotted a smoldering backpack that had been checked in on another Spirit Airlines flight.

The FAA is calling for further regulation to ensure all batteries are safe. The capability is there to make sure the devices are less apt to fail, but the regulations need to catch up with the technology.

Causes of Electronic Cigarette Explosions

E-cigarettes run on small lithium-ion batteries that are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. They must be kept between 50 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If exposed to temperatures above or below that recommendation, malfunctions can occur.

The FDA enforced new rules pertaining to electronic cigarettes, but it only has authority over certain types of batteries. Many of the poor quality batteries arrive in the U.S. from overseas and are popular because they are less expensive.

Poorly made chargers can increase the risk of e-cigarette batteries exploding as well. Not all chargers are universal in quality.

If you have been injured by an electronic cigarette explosion, you may be able to benefit from an electronic cigarette lawsuit against the manufacturer of the device or the offending batteries.