No liquids...and no lithium batteries as well by Martina Harvanova

The travelling conditions especially for those going from the United States will apparently worsen caused by the latest restrictions of the U. S. government. The fact not even predicted few years ago seems to become true nowadays. Who would have ever calculated with the ban to carry liquids on the board? And at the present it tends to be common, furthermore, not only throughout the U. S. The newest rule states: no lithium batteries in your checked luggage. Weird? The explanation is as following. The introduced in-flight regulations should reduce a possible danger of fires on the plane. The restrictions commanded by the U. S. Department of Transportation have become effective since January 1st. As mentioned, passengers are not permitted to carry more than two loose batteries. However, the code applies only to batteries containing between 9 to 24 grams of equivalent lithium content, while these must be packed in separate plastic bags. First of all, companies producing cell phones as well as notebooks started to worry about the case. Although the circumstances seem to deteriorate their business, the anxiety of theirs fortunately isn't the issue. Most lithium-ion cell phones and standard notebook batteries don't exceed the level of eight grams of lithium and consequently they aren't affected by the regulations. Another interesting fact shows that the specification whether the rule applies just to the U. S. citizens or to anyone departing from the U. S. hasn't been solved yet. Although the causes for these restrictions are claimed to be safety issues, there is another possible reason & the matter of security. The story that terrorists hide bombs in college textbooks with detonators in the lithium-ion batteries of various electronics isn't just a wholly fictional plot. Unfortunately, such arrangements are becoming true still more and more. No nail scissors, no liquids and now no batteries. Despite their harmless appearance, the use of them amends all the time. Up-to date weapons.

related story: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/12/new_lithium_bat_1.html

by Martina Harvanova for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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