- A
Puncture the battery to release the pressure, then throw it in the trash.
Why wrong: Puncturing a lithium-ion battery can cause a fire or chemical leak; it is dangerous and not environmentally responsible.
- B
Place it in a fireproof container and contact a hazardous waste disposal service.
This method minimizes fire risk and ensures the battery is disposed of according to environmental regulations.
- C
Put it in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the regular recycling bin.
Why wrong: Regular recycling bins are not designed for hazardous batteries, and they can cause fires at recycling facilities.
- D
Freeze the battery to stop the swelling, then dispose of it in the trash.
Why wrong: Freezing does not neutralize the hazard, and throwing it in the trash is still illegal and unsafe.
Safest and Most Environmentally Sound Way to Handle a Swollen Battery
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of environmental awareness and impact. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
While upgrading a workstation, you find that the old lithium-ion battery is swollen. What is the safest and most environmentally sound way to handle this battery?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to place the swollen lithium-ion battery in a fireproof container and contact a hazardous waste disposal service. This is the safest and most environmentally sound way to handle a swollen battery because a damaged lithium-ion cell is a severe fire hazard, prone to thermal runaway where internal short circuits generate intense heat and flammable gases. Proper containment prevents ignition, while professional disposal ensures the toxic materials are recycled or neutralized without contaminating the environment. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your knowledge of operational procedures for environmental safety and hazard prevention, often appearing in the "Safety" domain. A common trap is choosing to simply recycle it with regular electronics or discharge it first, both of which are dangerous with a swollen battery. Remember the memory tip: "Swollen means call the pro—fireproof it and let them go."
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Place it in a fireproof container and contact a hazardous waste disposal service.
A swollen lithium-ion battery indicates internal damage and potential thermal runaway risk. Placing it in a fireproof container and contacting hazardous waste disposal ensures safe containment and proper recycling, preventing fire hazards and environmental contamination from toxic electrolytes and heavy metals.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Puncture the battery to release the pressure, then throw it in the trash.
Why it's wrong here
Puncturing a lithium-ion battery can cause a fire or chemical leak; it is dangerous and not environmentally responsible.
- ✓
Place it in a fireproof container and contact a hazardous waste disposal service.
Why this is correct
This method minimizes fire risk and ensures the battery is disposed of according to environmental regulations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Put it in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the regular recycling bin.
Why it's wrong here
Regular recycling bins are not designed for hazardous batteries, and they can cause fires at recycling facilities.
- ✗
Freeze the battery to stop the swelling, then dispose of it in the trash.
Why it's wrong here
Freezing does not neutralize the hazard, and throwing it in the trash is still illegal and unsafe.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ exams often test the misconception that damaged batteries can be safely disposed of in regular trash or recycling, when in fact they require special handling due to fire and environmental hazards.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lithium-ion batteries contain a flammable electrolyte and a separator that can fail under mechanical stress, leading to internal short circuits and thermal runaway. Swelling is often caused by gas buildup from electrolyte decomposition or lithium plating, which increases internal pressure and risk. Proper disposal involves contacting a certified hazardous waste handler who can safely discharge the battery and recycle materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Environmental Awareness and Impact — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Environmental Awareness and Impact practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Environmental Awareness and Impact — This question tests Environmental Awareness and Impact — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Place it in a fireproof container and contact a hazardous waste disposal service. — A swollen lithium-ion battery indicates internal damage and potential thermal runaway risk. Placing it in a fireproof container and contacting hazardous waste disposal ensures safe containment and proper recycling, preventing fire hazards and environmental contamination from toxic electrolytes and heavy metals.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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