Four Sacramento firefighters are undergoing experimental therapy following being exposed to a Tesla's EV battery several months ago.
The IV-infused procedure is an effort to remove the heavy metals from their lungs and bloodstreams, Capt. Justin Sylvia told KCRA.
"We've never had anyone off related to any type of lithium-ion battery fire. This is the first," he said.
Sylvia explained that the firefighters weren't wearing SCBA because the fire was out and they were in cleanup mode. He now urges crews to stay on air while on the scene of electric vehicle battery fires.
"A very low-lying white cloud, as it was described by those members, came across them. They immediately had a metallic taste in their mouth. One of the chemicals in those batteries, once it hits water, it turns to an acid. Once you split that series (of batteries), that's when it becomes dangerous, because it can short-circuit and get into that thermal runaway and become very unpredictable on its own."
"These EVs are something that is new to us. We really need to look at what the best practice on fighting these fires and not becoming a victim ourselves."
