STUDIES OF BATTERY STORAGE FIRES SHOW NO PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT Findings from multiple studies of air, water, and soil samples conducted during and after battery energy storage system (BESS) incidents by local, state, and federal agencies have consistently found no air emissions or run-off water contamination exceeding public health thresholds. This factsheet provides a summary of results from recent BESS fire and overheating incidents.
Moss Landing (January 2025) Air Quality: At the Moss Landing incident, over 100 air quality monitors were set up at
the energy storage facility and in the surrounding communities. No airborne readings for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and hydrogen chloride (HCl) were detected. Most readings for hydrogen fluoride (HF) were below detectable limits, and the HF concentrations at the two stations with positive readings did not exceed California Occupation Safety and Health’s (Cal/OSHA) strict 8-hour exposure limit of 0.4 parts per million (ppm). Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 levels did not exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter.1
Drinking Water Quality: Drinking water samples were taken from five tanks in the
Moss Landing area. Concentrations of manganese, copper, aluminum, and nickel were below public health exposure thresholds and were in the ranges of samples taken before the incident. Lithium was detected in several samples but at concentrations below the Health-Based Screening Level.2
Surface Water Quality: Surface water and soil samples were collected from nine
locations. Levels of barium and nickel in surface water did not exceed recreational exposure limits at any site and are at levels safe for human consumption. Chromium, cobalt, vanadium, and zinc were detected in some samples, but these metals do not have recreational exposure limits and the levels did not trigger any immediate health recommendations by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.3
Soil Quality: Soils have been tested at the plant site and numerous locations up to several
miles away by several state and local agencies. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) collected eight soil and one sand sample. While initial surface screenings of ash and debris detected elevated levels of metals, subsequent soil samples did not.4 Additionally, researchers from the University of California found no evidence of elevated levels of cobalt, nickel, copper, or manganese in agricultural soil samples from six sites within two miles of the incident.5 Visit Monterey County’s Moss Landing incident website for all study results.6
CALIFORNIA ENERGY STORAGE ALLIANCE