FAA Data Shows Exploding Batteries Are Rare, Small Risk

ericatcw writes "While the US government is intent on adding new rules around the shipment and carrying of Lithium-Ion batteries on passenger and cargo planes, data from its own Federal Aviation Agency show that the risk of being on an airplane where someone — not necessarily you — suffers a minor injury due to a battery is only one in 28 million, reports Computerworld, which analyzed the data (skip to the chart here) using the free Tableau Public data visualization service. Getting killed in a car accident, by contrast, is 4,300 times more likely. Opponents say the rules could raise the cost of shopping online and add hassles for fliers and consumers."

Comments

Re:The real problem

[RajivSLK]

This rule also applies to the shipment of batteries on Cargo planes...

don't just sit there

[drfireman]

For what it's worth, you can comment on the proposed legislation here:

http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a75fb2

Of course, do your research first.

Re:Perspective.

[ceoyoyo]

I figured it out for another story a few months ago. Terrorists would have to detonate a nuclear weapon in a Hiroshima scale attack about every four years to bring the terrorism risk up to the fatal car accident risk.

Re:Sanity

[rockNme2349]

This is already known by anyone in the field. IIRC the EPA values each American life at around $7 million. They use this figure to make decisions on whether safety features are worth the cost. I believe the value is based around the gross output of the average working person over the span of their life.