The first flashlight batteries were entirely zinc casings because it was the negative electrode.
They had a carbon rod (anode) and manganese oxide wrapper and were filled with ammonium chloride electrolyte.
Burning the ammonium chloride might have been the most dangerous part, not sure if that could release chlorine gas or not, but probably not with most fires.
Zinc fumes alone are pretty terrible to breath though. Welders can get sick for a couple days if they weld galvanized steel without cleaning it well. Supposedly drinking milk helps the symptoms, but I’ve avoided it so far.
The first flashlight batteries were entirely zinc casings because it was the negative electrode.
They had a carbon rod (anode) and manganese oxide wrapper and were filled with ammonium chloride electrolyte.
Burning the ammonium chloride might have been the most dangerous part, not sure if that could release chlorine gas or not, but probably not with most fires.
Zinc fumes alone are pretty terrible to breath though. Welders can get sick for a couple days if they weld galvanized steel without cleaning it well. Supposedly drinking milk helps the symptoms, but I’ve avoided it so far.