Newsletter
21
December 2014
untoward health effects of long-term exposure to the gases given off during the battery charging
process.
The quantity required to cause death is very substantial. NFPA 704 identifies the health effects of
hydrogen as being a 0. In addition, OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and Recommended Exposure
Level (REL) are not set due to the fact that hydrogen is considered to be relatively safe below the
flammable and explosive levels.
Even though hydrogen is viewed as being non-toxic, many occupants in homes responded to by Villages
Public Safety Department personnel have complained of headaches, nausea, dyspnea, and vertigo. It is
anecdotally believed that this may be caused by hydrogen’s displacement of oxygen in a fairly
well-sealed home, and that the lower oxygen concentration may result in patients with the above
symptoms.
The Department’s investigation has brought about a new awareness regarding golf cart battery charging
and carbon monoxide detector alarms. The Department is putting together a public information program
using the community’s newspaper, radio, and television stations to alert golf cart owners to the
problem. The ad campaign will stress proper techniques for charging golf cart batteries. Hydrogen gas
dissipates at an extremely fast rate and simple ventilation is viewed as the easiest method of controlling
potential dangers when charging golf carts. Newer golf carts and chargers allow for automatic shut of
the charging system when the cycle is completed. Some older golf cart models and after-market or
"adapted" charging systems allow for continuous charging and, as a result, continuous production of
hydrogen gas. While we cannot prevent such products from being used, the Department has an
obligation to inform the public of the dangers and to take steps to mitigate those dangers.
The Villages Homeowners Association currently conducts golf cart driving safety programs for all
residents. We hope to include a segment focused on safe charging of golf carts. The Department is also
working with local golf cart dealers to insure that prospective purchasers receive charging instruction
brochures.
Lastly, The Villages Department of Public Safety has changed its focus of response to carbon monoxide
detector activations from being CO only to potentially being either a CO or hydrogen gas emergency. The
Department’s policy of non-emergency response to CO detector activations where residents have left
the building has changed to emergency response in every situation due to the significant potential of
hydrogen gas explosion and fire.
Emergency services providers have typically looked at the possibility of hydrogen off-gassing from
batteries as a minimal problem. In The Villages, we’ve learned otherwise.
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Cigar Club
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