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Lead Acid Batteries – Environmental Hazard, challenges and best practices

Eng. Mohamed Al Tarawneh
International Storage Battery Company
Tel: +962 77 741 5453
E-Mail: mohammadaltarawneh@ak.com.jo

Abstract

Millions of Lead Acid Batteries are being discarded each year, with the temptations of rising lead prices worldwide, these batteries are being collected and recycled in a primitive manner especially in third world countries, causing harm and fatalities to the workers and grave danger to the environment.

Lead is a major environmental challenge, Lead is a heavy metal -- that is, a metallic element that in pure form is heavy. Examples: lead, mercury, cadmium, tin, chromium, zinc and copper. Most heavy metals are extremely toxic because, as ions or in certain compounds, they may be taken into the body, where they tend to combine with and inhibit the functioning of particular enzymes. Minute amounts can have severe physiological or neurological effects.

Improper handling, transportation, storage, disposal or recycling pause serious problems to the environment and wellbeing of people involved in such acts and the general public alike with tangible impact on the economy in health support services.

Proper recycling practices can reverse the harm into beneficial reuse of the earth’s resources.

Keywords: Recycling, Batteries, Lead, Environment, Health, Technologies
 

Application for Participation (PDF)