1. Identifying a Damaged Sensor
A soil sensor may be considered damaged if it shows any of the following signs:
Physical damage:
Cracked or deformed casing.
Leaking fluid:
Signs of liquid leakage near the battery compartment.
Swelling or bulging:
An indication of internal battery pressure.
Overheating:
The sensor becomes excessively hot during normal operation.
2. Immediate Safety Measures
If you suspect the sensor is damaged but not leaking or swollen, follow these steps immediately:
Affix the magnet to the sensor securely.
Isolate the sensor: Place it in a non-flammable container (e.g., a metal or ceramic container).
Avoid contact with leaking fluid: If you notice fluid leakage, avoid touching it directly. Use gloves and ensure the area is well-ventilated.
Move the sensor to a safe area: Keep it away from flammable materials, heat sources, and water.
3. Handling a Damaged Battery
If the lithium battery is leaking or swollen:
Do not attempt to remove the battery yourself.
Mishandling may cause the battery to rupture or ignite.
Contact Spiio support for guidance on proper handling and disposal.
Avoid puncturing or crushing the battery.
Damaging the battery further can lead to chemical leakage or combustion.
4. Proper Gloves for Damaged Battery Handling
When dealing with damaged batteries, using the right gloves is crucial to ensure safety.
It is recommended to use Rubber Nitrile gloves with a thickness of around 15 millimeters. These gloves provide excellent chemical resistance and protection against battery electrolyte exposure. Do not use Disposable Nitrile Gloves.
Key Features of Rubber Nitrile Gloves:
High resistance to punctures and tears
Excellent barrier against chemicals and corrosive substances
Comfortable fit for extended handling sessions
Always wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves, when handling damaged or leaking sensors to minimize the risk of injury.
5. Emergency Response and First Aid
Eye Contact or Skin Exposure:
If the battery electrolyte contacts eyes or skin, flush the affected area with water for 15 minutes.
Seek immediate medical help.
Ingestion:
If someone ingests lithium metal, rinse the mouth with water.
Seek immediate medical help.
Inhalation:
Move to a well-ventilated area if battery fumes are inhaled.
Seek medical assistance if symptoms persist.
Fire or Explosion:
In case of a fire or explosion, evacuate the area.
Use appropriate fire extinguishing methods (e.g., Class D fire extinguisher or sand).
Call emergency services.
General Precautions:
Always wear protective gear when handling batteries.
Do not touch damaged or leaking batteries with bare hands.
Handling a Punctured Sensor (SP110) — Aerification Damage Response
Lithium (LiSOCl₂) Battery Warning: Can leak, overheat, or ignite — treat any damaged unit as hazardous material.
First — assess the severity:
Punctured, not leaking → follow Steps 1–4 below
Battery leaking electrolyte → follow Steps 1–5
Smoking or on fire → evacuate, call 911, go to Step 6
Step 1 — Stop & Secure the Area
Stop all work; keep people clear of the sensor.
Never touch a damaged sensor bare-handed.
Set a perimeter: keep personnel well clear and remain upwind. Increase isolation distance if smoke, fumes, or fire are present.
Step 2 — Assess the Hazard
Check for puncture, leakage, smoke, fire, residue, or swelling/heat.
If leaking or smoking, ventilate — fumes are corrosive/toxic (SO₂/HCl).
Hissing, swelling, acrid smell, or rising heat — back away, treat as fire.
Fire, smoke, or ignition — call emergency services and go to Step 6.
Step 3 — Wear Appropriate PPE
Minimum: nitrile gloves (6 mil+) + safety glasses.
Leaking/burned: gauntlet gloves + face shield.
Near fumes or smoke: acid-gas respirator (not a dust mask).
Step 4 — Remove & Contain
Replace the magnet to power off first.
Remove gently — do not crush or bend.
Tape exposed battery; bag each unit individually.
Store in a fireproof bag or container, away from heat and water. Bags are available on Amazon.
Bag must be rated to contain fires up to 2500°F — LiSOCl₂ cells can reach thermal runaway.
Step 5 — Exposure Response (leaking electrolyte only)
Skin or eyes: flush 15+ minutes immediately; get medical care.
Inhalation: move to fresh air.
Ingestion: do not induce vomiting; rinse mouth; get medical care.
Step 6 — Fire Response (smoking or burning)
Do not approach a smoking or burning unit — let it stop and cool first (it can reignite).
Evacuate; keep others clear.
Before approaching: put on full PPE — gauntlet gloves + face shield + respiratory protection (see Step 3).
Class D extinguisher or dry sand only — never water.
Call 911 / emergency services if not controlled.
After the area is safe — clean up, dispose & report
Step 7 — Check & Remediate the Soil
Inspect for charring, residue, fragments, or odor.
Remove affected soil and debris. For burned units, remove at least 12" of soil surrounding the unit.
Backfill with clean soil, then plug the area.
Step 8 — Dispose Properly
Keep each unit in a rated fireproof bag until disposal (see Step 4).
Hazardous waste — never put in regular trash.
Undamaged batteries: use a certified battery recycler or HHW program.
Damaged batteries: use an approved hazardous e-waste handler (e.g., Veolia, Clean Harbors).
Label as damaged lithium; do not return to Spiio.
Step 9 — Contact Syngenta & Report
Photograph the sensor and the area.
Record date, location, description, and serial number.
Report to your Syngenta Digital Platforms Rep at greencastconnect.support@syngenta.com.
Rep guides tracking, support, and Spiio replacement.
Step 10 — Prevention
Flag or remove sensors before aerification.
Train operators on sensor locations.
Store sensors in a cool, dry area out of sunlight.
Inspect often; avoid impact and out-of-range use.
DO NOT: Put water on a fire · Handle a damaged unit bare-handed · Put it in a vehicle or enclosed cab · Stack or pile damaged units · Carry it against your body
Remember: Power off with the magnet first · Class D Fire Extinguisher or dry sand for fire · Start flushing exposure at once (15+ min) · Treat the unit as hazardous waste.
6. Damaged Sensor Recycling Instructions
Lithium batteries cannot be disposed of in regular trash due to environmental and safety concerns. Follow these steps for proper disposal:
Contact local waste disposal services to find a certified facility for lithium battery disposal.
Transport carefully: Place the damaged sensor in a sealed, non-conductive container.
Label the container clearly as containing a damaged lithium battery.
If damaged due to aerification, do not return to Spiio. Please adhere to the following instructions:
Leaking Sensor:
Evacuate the area, do not touch the leaked substance, and seek medical attention if necessary
Aerification:
If aerified, evacuate the area, do not touch the damaged unit, contact Spiio, Inc., and follow EPA guidelines for lithium battery accidents
Spiio, Inc. should always be informed to ensure the deregistering of discarded units in the local mobile network.
Contact Spiio, Inc. for additional support at greencastconnect.support@syngenta.com
Note: Many municipalities offer dedicated e-waste recycling services or hazardous waste disposal events that accept lithium batteries.
7. Requesting a Replacement Sensor
To ensure uninterrupted monitoring, request a replacement Spiio sensor by following these steps:
Contact Spiio support via the app or website.
Provide details of the damaged sensor, including:
Serial number
Description of the issue
Photos of the damage (if possible)
Spiio support will guide you through the replacement process, including shipping and handling.
8. Preventing Battery Damage
To prevent future issues, follow these best practices for handling and maintaining Spiio sensors:
Prior to aerification, either remove the sensors or mark them.
Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures: Operating the sensor in conditions beyond the recommended range can damage the battery.
Handle with care: Avoid dropping or subjecting the sensor to impact.
Regularly inspect sensors: Check for any signs of wear, corrosion, or physical damage.
Disclaimer
This soil sensor lithium battery guide offers a concise summary based on reliable sources about the material in question. While accurate to Spiio's knowledge, it doesn't encompass all global hazard communication regulations. Users are encouraged to assess conditions and implement suitable protective measures, and Spiio disclaims liability for the information's accuracy or completeness. Refer to Spiio's continually updated Terms & Conditions on their website: http://spiio.com/terms-conditions.