More and more batteries are available in the market, and we can see it in all kinds of electronic devices. A battery is an electrochemical device to convert chemical energy to electrical energy to provide power to our electronic devices. All batteries eventually lose their electrical charge. When this occurs, most people replace the old battery with a new one. However, batteries contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and nickel, which can heavily pollute the environment when batteries are improperly disposed of.
First, I will tell you the types of batteries. Auto batteries are type of rechargeable batteries usually used on our cars. Almost any retailer that sells
lead acid battery collects used batteries for recycling, as required by most state laws. Almost 90% of the lead-acid batteries are recycled. Gel cells and sealed lead acid batteries are commonly used to power industrial equipment, emergency lighting, and alarm systems. Alkaline batteries have a higher energy density and longer shelf-life compare to the arbon zinc batteries. They can be used in Cassettes players, radios, or appliances. Carbon zinc batteries are the least expensive batteries and thus a popular choice by manufacturers when devices are sold with batteries included. They can be used in remote controls, flashlights, toys, or transistor radios. Lithium batteries are batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode and they are used in many portable consumer electronic devices, and are widely used in industry.
Batteries may produce the following environmental hazards:
1.Burning the batteries in public area will pollute the lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned and it may cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.
2.Contribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
3.Batteries waste in riverside will pollute the water with strong acid. Animals or human drinking from the water will be harm by the pollution of the water.
Whats more, different types of batteries contain different materials and the harmful effects are a little diversity.
Alkaline batteries contain potassium hydroxide, which is corrosive. If potassium hydroxide comes in contact with water, it may produce enough heat to ignite combustible materials. Some older alkaline batteries may also contain mercury, which is a toxic metal.
Nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal-hydride batteries can both leach nickel into groundwater. Both battery types also contain potassium hydroxide, which reacts with water and is corrosive. Additionally, cadmium is toxic to humans.
Lead acid batteries contain both lead and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is flammable and can cause chemical burns. Lead from batteries can seep into the ground, and can pollute the soil. Either material can contaminate a water source, making the water unsafe to drink.
Lithium and coin-cell batteries are small in physical size and can be easily swallowed. These batteries pose several hazards--choking, chemical burn, tissue damage--to small children. Lithium-ion batteries are also flammable and capable of self-ignition if handled improperly.
Source:
www.leoch.com
