BATTERY RECYCLING IS IMPORTANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

1. Save Copy to Evernote Last updated: Aug 26, 2020 BATTERY RECYCLING IS IMPORTANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 4 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BATTERY DISPOSAL AND THE ENVIRONMENT The demand for batteries, as well as the development and history of the battery, have increased significantly. This demand is due to the fact that billions of people carry electronic devices that use electricity. These electronic devices include cell phones, laptops, and digital cameras. Batteries provide electricity to our toys and devices by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. The opposite ends of a battery, known as the anode and cathode, create a circuit that conducts current to an electronic device. Once this electrical circuit is empty, batteries must be disposed of safely, but consumers throw millions of batteries in the trash every year. Throwing away batteries may seem harmless, but it can have serious effects on the environment. Each battery contains dangerous, toxic, and corrosive substances such as mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead. If you're wondering what negative effects batteries can have on our environment, here are 5 facts you need to know about batteries and our environment. 1) Batteries that are not properly disposed to contribute to water and air pollution. When used batteries are thrown away, they end up in landfills, where they expire and leak. When batteries corrode, their chemicals enter the soil and contaminate soil and surface water. Our ecosystems, which contain thousands of aquatic plants and animals, are threatened by the filling of chemical batteries. This means that when we drink from the taps we can ingest dangerous metals. Did you also know that incorrectly disposed of lithium batteries can be very unstable? Lithium batteries can cause discharge fires that can burn for many years. As a result, toxic chemicals that are released into the air negatively affect our breathing and contribute to global warming. The vaporized form of the little exposed batteries is also trapped in the atmosphere, polluting lakes and streams in the form of rain. Resources for battery disposal: General Household Batteries - Advice on Proper Disposal. Improper recycling of lead-acid batteries: problems solved. 2) Batteries that are not properly disposed of are harmful to human health. Exposure to lead and strong corrosive acids in batteries can cause burns and a hazard to eyes and skin. Toxic metals, such as nickel and cadmium, found in batteries are known human carcinogens, according to the Agency's Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry. Carcinogens are all substances, rays, or radionuclides that act as carcinogens. When these agents interact with our air and water, we run the risk of developing disabilities from cancer. Another poisonous metal found in batteries is lead, which has been linked to serious medical problems, such as neurological and developmental damage and birth defects. In 1996, the government passed laws banning the use of mercury in batteries due to its highly toxic nature, especially in the form of vapor. Thanks to this new law, people can now use smaller single- use alkaline batteries without fear of mercury poisoning. Health Resources: Battery acid: health effects. Battery Health Issues - Your Health and Battery Disposal. Lead Acid Batteries and Cancer: Your Health and Battery Disposal. 3) Recycling batteries is easy. Programs like Corpseed gladly take your batteries and recycle them on your behalf as a public service. Disposing of car batteries, which are generally made of lead-acid materials, can be as simple as taking them to a dealer and dropping them off. Even cell phone vendors and manufacturers allow you to ship your phone for proper recycling. Did you know that prior to the 1996 ban on the use of mercury in single-use alkaline batteries, proper recycling practices were required? As the demand for batteries grow, improper disposal continues to negatively affect the environment and human health. If you want to live in a cleaner, healthier world for generations to come, recycle your used batteries. Resources for battery recycling: Where to Recycle Batteries - Help With Battery Recycling Research! Battery Recycling - Interesting Facts About Recycling, Not Recycling, Batteries. Battery Recycling Facts: What You Didn't Know. How to recycle batteries: the recycling process Disposable Battery Recycling - Why You Should. Battery Recycling in North America - Here's how to recycle your batteries today. Battery Recycling UK - This is where you can recycle your batteries. 4) Rechargeable batteries use fewer natural resources. Did you know that, in general, rechargeable batteries use fewer non-renewable natural resources than single-use batteries? One of the main advantages of using rechargeable batteries is that, due to their recharging capacity, fewer batteries are needed to deliver the same amount of power. This means that fewer resources are used during the manufacturing process. Another advantage of using rechargeable batteries over single-use batteries is cost savings. Rechargeable batteries save consumers money due to their reuse. Resources for rechargeable batteries: Rechargeable batteries: facts, myths, and explosions. Battery guide: advantages and disadvantages of rechargeable batteries. Batteries and Devices - Ideal for rechargeable devices. Battery Myths and Battery Facts - What You Need to Know About Responsible Renewable Energy. As demand for batteries increases, improper disposal continues to have a negative impact on the environment and human health. If you want to live in a cleaner and healthier world for generations, recycle your used batteries. Terms of Service Privacy Policy Report Spam