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Exploding Cell Phone Battery Causes Another Death?
Another exploding cell phone battery is being blamed for a man's death, this time in South Korea, where a quarry worker was found dead at his place of work with a melted LG phone in his shirt pocket.
Kim Hoon, the doctor who examined the dead man's body, said that the man's ribs and spine were broken. According to Hoon's report, the explosion -- and resulting shrapnel -- damaged his heart and lungs, leading to his death.
LG, a South Korean company that manufactures phones in both Asia and the United States, hasn't said a word yet about which phone or battery model caused the explosion, but we're hoping they will let that information out soon in case recalls are necessary. It's entirely possible that the phone isn't at fault at all -- the worker was in a quarry, presumably chock-full of water and other minerals that could react with a cell phone battery. [In an update the AP posted after its initial story, scientists say that the injuries are too extreme to have been caused by a lone cell phone battery, but final results won't be known for 15 days).
That said, this death is very similar to another exploding-phone death we recently covered, in which a Chinese welder was killed when his battery exploded, broke through his ribcage, and sent phone and bone shrapnel into his heart.
We have covered a surprising number of cell phone-related deaths in the past year, though just how much a cell phone is actually involved in each case and how much has to do with pre-existing conditions or just plain human stupidity varies with each case. Here's a brief list of the most recent:
- Cell Phone Battery Explodes, Kills Chinese Worker: In this strikingly similar case, a Chinese man was found with a melted cell phone in his shirt pocket.
- Cell Phone Blamed for Train Death: Paying attention to your cell phone while crossing train tracks: not a good idea.
- Teen Struck by Train While Text Messaging: Once again, cell phones and trains do not mix.
- Kid Drowns in Lake After Trying to Rescue Sinking Cell Phone: Sometimes it's best to just let the cell phone go.
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Comments
74
Subscribe to commentsKirkNov 29th 2007 11:24PM
Sounds kind of fishy to me. Like we aren't being told ALL the facts - gee, what a surprise !!
I have never spoken to anyone who has ever experienced a burning or exploding cell phone battery or even personally knows of anyone who has had a serious, potentially injurious cell phone battery incident.
With all of the people who have a cell phone out there - literally a hundred and seventy million alone in the U.S. - serious cell phone battery explosions or meltdowns must be extremely rare.
And, of those we hear about, (and are wildly exaggerated by the media), how many factors are involved in these incidents: i.e.- misuse, damage to the phone / battery by the user who keeps on using and charging the phone and / or battery?
It would be nice if some credible media reporter did a feature story investigating what safeguards the cell phone manufacturers actually put into cell phones and batteries to prevent explosions, fires and alleged injuries caused by these cell phone / battery failures.
TomNov 29th 2007 11:29PM
Cell phones are handy. But, I think they are way overused by some people, creating a possible health risk for them. Kind of like standing up close to your microwave and watching the food cook through the window. Bad practice!
DerrickNov 29th 2007 11:42PM
I actually had a cell phone battery overheat and burn my leg while it was in my pocket. The cell company tried to tell me it was the phone and not the battery. I eventually changed phones and carriers, and have not had battery issues since.
I also use a nokia phone now, the one that burnt my leg was a motorola, but I have had LG phones overheat, just not while in my pocket.
PsychoticnewbieNov 29th 2007 11:48PM
didn't they do this on mythbusters once? if they didn't they should..mebbe if it doesn't get busted, then I don't have to stop dodging those idiots yabbering on the phone when I'm walking in parking lots, or having to dodge some idiot who's not paying attention....
J-ManNov 29th 2007 11:59PM
LOL Jay - too funny!!
RickNov 30th 2007 12:25AM
I'm a policeman in Bflo NY and within the last year, I can recall 3 seperate reports in which people were burned by cellphone batteries that had exploded. As far as I know, non were made by "LG" though, so they're not the only ones to worry about.
montereygoNov 30th 2007 12:25AM
Little late with the story, aren't we? Today's Korea Times already reported that the man's coworker admitted to accidentally killing him. The phone battery had nothing to do with the death.
zippyNov 30th 2007 2:51AM
To me this just further clarification of just how dependent we have grown to cell phones. Everyone in one all the time. The guy who made the posting about the people running cars off the road wasn't a joke it happens all the time. Soon all states will have laws passed making it against the law. It's getting ridiculus. Some mailmen talk their entire route. People talk the whole time they shop. They do menace people on the road. Workers are taking up company time. Kids are wasting school time. What is so important about being on the phone? It's something I've never cared for as a kid, a teenager and grown to like less and less. This new obsession is driving me crazy and now to hear of people actually getting killed over it is so sad, dying because you just had to talk on the phone. I just don't understand it. I have a cell phone and probably use less than a half hour a month.
garryNov 30th 2007 4:34AM
those must be cellgrenades.new death weapon.
larryNov 30th 2007 5:03AM
Learn more about the dangers of cell phones and how to guard yourself at www.TheCellPhoneChipStore.com !!!
IffatshamimNov 30th 2007 9:41AM
Using the Blue tooth is as or may be more dangarous to use. I get bad Hadic and sharp ringing noise is in my ear, even when I take blutooth out. It is funny feeling in my head and ear.I have Plantronics B.T.
EthelNov 30th 2007 3:35PM
Karl [of the cingular tattoo post] I think I love you! LMAO
daisyNov 30th 2007 3:53PM
If you are going to show photo's of the LG phones in the United States, show them all. You bearly scratching the surface.
lkDec 19th 2007 11:46AM
I had a cell phone that started smoking while I was talking on it. I was able to pull the battery out of the phone immediately. I took the phone to a store and they were not concerned. I also called and they said they had never heard of this happening. (right...) They would not cover the phone's damage either.