Although the use of batteries is decreasing, battery contamination is still a worrying issue. And the pollution caused by different types of batteries varies significantly. A mercury battery can contaminate 600 thousand liters of water, an alkaline battery can contaminate 167 thousand liters and a silver oxide battery can contaminate 14 thousand liters. This makes many people wonder how much do batteries pollute.
In this article we are going to tell you how much batteries pollute and what can be done about it.
Battery contamination condition
Only 40 alkaline substances would be enough to contaminate 6,5 million liters of water, equivalent to the size of a diving pool. Mercury has the potential to cause cancer and is capable of accumulating in living organisms. Prolonged exposure to this element can have harmful effects on the brain, kidneys and developing fetus, which could lead to mental disabilities, impaired motor and speech skills, lack of coordination, vision problems, and seizures.
The release of mercury into landfills leads to contamination of both water and soil and ultimately infiltrates the food chain as it accumulates in fish tissues.
The nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system are all susceptible to damage from lead. Due to its non-degradable nature, lead has the ability to travel significant distances through the air before settling. It also has a tendency to bind to soil particles and can subsequently infiltrate groundwater.
The neurotoxic properties of lithium make it harmful to both the kidneys and the respiratory system. Lithium poisoning can cause several serious symptoms, including respiratory failure, myocardial depression, pulmonary edema, and a profound state of unconsciousness. The nervous system is also negatively affected, which can lead to coma or even death. Additionally, lithium has the ability to easily leach into aquifers, posing a significant risk to groundwater sources.
Cadmium, a substance known for its carcinogenic properties, represents a significant threat to the respiratory system when inhaled in large quantities, while its ingestion causes kidney damage. High levels of exposure can have fatal consequences. Consumption of food or water contaminated with cadmium causes stomach irritation, triggering symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. The release of cadmium into the atmosphere and water sources occurs primarily through landfills or accidental spills of household waste, allowing it to disperse over considerable distances.
The skin is affected by nickel, and inhalation of substantial amounts causes the development of chronic bronchitis, as well as lung and sinus cancer. Waste incineration releases this element into the atmosphere, where it adheres to dust particles that eventually settle on the ground.
Solutions to avoid contamination for days
To address this problem, it is essential to modify routines and adopt a conscious consumption approach that prioritizes the environment. Make sure you have suitable containers to store unused batteries, avoiding their disposal by incineration. Although battery collection initiatives are often implemented in stores or other places, it is crucial to ask on the final destination of the collected batteries to address the problem effectively.
Choose to use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones, as they have the capacity to replace 300 single-use batteries. Whenever possible, try to minimize their use.
You must choose to use products powered by wind, solar or electric energy. Choose products that can be connected to the main power source. These options not only do not pollute, but also have superior energy efficiency.
A significant portion of the batteries used are intended for recreational purposes, such as music, games and cameras. It is advisable to reduce the use of batteries in these activities. One has to Avoid buying counterfeit batteries as it is not only illegal but they also have a shorter lifespan and pose a greater danger to the environment.
To ensure proper disposal, it is essential to refrain from disposing of them in the trash, open areas or public spaces. Take precautions to prevent them from entering bodies of water or drainage systems, and avoid burning them, as this can release harmful metals into the air.
Once the metal casing of the batteries rusts, it is important to avoid burying them, as they have the potential to contaminate soil, subsoil, and water.
How much do batteries pollute?
The functionality of widely used devices such as MP3 players, cameras and remote controls depends on batteries. However, once these batteries are discarded, The extent of environmental pollution goes largely unnoticed.
The functionality of everyday items such as MP3 players, cameras, remote controls and others depends on them. However, disposing of them without consideration leads to ignoring the extent to which the environment is being contaminated.
Despite their compact size, they have a significant impact due to their widespread use. These small devices effectively convert chemical energy into electrical energy. However, its seemingly innocuous nature may have harmful consequences if disposed of improperly with normal waste.
Toxic elements such as mercury, lead, lithium, cadmium and nickel They constitute 30% of the composition of each pile. Once these batteries have served their purpose and are no longer usable, they are carelessly discarded and end up in landfills near urban areas. Here, along with other waste, they slowly begin to decompose, posing a significant threat to the environment and all forms of life, both human and non-human. This serious concern has been raised by an academic, emphasizing the detrimental impact of these discarded batteries on the health of our environment.
The level of damage caused by batteries is directly related to their size, with smaller batteries having a greater polluting effect. For example, a normal battery thrown on the ground can contaminate 3.000 liters of water, while an alkaline battery containing mercury can contaminate 160.000 liters, and even a small watch battery can contaminate a staggering 600.000 liters of water.
The most worrying thing is that, despite this knowledge, the batteries are not being handled in accordance with hazardous waste protocols. Instead, they are disposed of in regular municipal landfills, where garbage fermentation processes corrode their packaging and release toxic substances. These substances then leach into the soil and water bodies, causing pollution.
In most cases, cells and batteries are disposed of in landfills, causing the release of highly toxic and carcinogenic substances, such as dioxins and furans, aggravating pollution levels.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about how much batteries pollute.