In a video viral on social media, a person is holding a damaged or swollen battery of a mobile phone in his mouth and pressing it with his teeth. Meanwhile, the battery suddenly exploded with a loud bang. According to reports, the person was injured in the accident, although no official information has been revealed about his condition at present.
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Symbolic photo – Photo : freepik
Why is it dangerous to take mobile battery in mouth?
- The battery of a mobile phone is a sealed container, inside which thick chemical and electrical charge is filled. When pressed with teeth, its outer casing can break, causing immediate failure of the seal system and exposing the dangerous components inside.
- A mobile battery contains a lithium-based cathode and a graphite anode. When a person presses it with his teeth, the thin protective layer (casing) of the battery gets immediately damaged. After this, as soon as the liquid electrolyte inside comes in contact with oxygen, an uncontrolled chemical reaction begins. A short circuit occurs inside the battery and the temperature rises to extreme levels within seconds. This process is called thermal runaway, which ends with a loud bang and fire. These are extremely harmful for the oral tissue.
- The electrolyte present inside the battery is highly flammable. If the battery breaks, the liquid can cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, tongue, throat and esophagus. Additionally, the intense heat generated during the thermal runaway process can cause severe burns to the tissues of the mouth, lips and face.
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Symbolic photo – Photo : freepik
Experts’ warning
After the video went viral, experts have appealed to people on social media not to risk their lives in the process of going viral, because a mobile battery is not a small device but a dangerous chemical system.
