Energy is a key driver of socio-economic prosperity. Storing this energy is one of the key elements of ensuring energy security. Battery technology has been deployed to ensure that energy is stored. There are different types of batteries in use, including the fuel cell, lead acid accumulators and batteries used for electric vehicles. Although beneficial, batteries can cause serious environmental toxicological and human health impacts.
Consumers should be aware of these impacts and make informed decisions when they do battery purchases and deploy equipment which uses sustainable forms of power storage. The end of the life-cycle and the usage phase of batteries needs to be properly managed in an environmentally sound manner.
Some batteries such as the lead acid accumulator, have the potential to cause damage to human tissue and cause groundwater pollution due to the presence of acid in those batteries. In addition, lead contained in the batteries is a toxic heavy metal, which has toxicological effects from the mining, processing, usage and disposal of the batteries.
Toxicological effects include effects on the nervous systems of human beings and damage to vital body organs. The most affected population is that of little children. This is why disposal of such batteries should be undertaken at designated sites, under the guidance of organisations with adequate waste disposal facilities.
The advent of lithium-ion batteries has also been a vital element of the clean energy revolution. But their management needs to be done in an environmentally sound manner to prevent and toxic elements reaching the environment. The big challenge in many countries is the lack of proper facilities to manage batteries.
Batteries disposed indiscriminately can easily pollute the air, land and water. In extreme cases they can cause explosions and fire outbreaks. Batteries should be considered as having a potential impact on human health and environment. They are also a risk to public health and safety.
Little children are also at risk if they swallow batteries or are exposed to fumes emanating from burning batteries. The risk of poisoning from substances contained in batteries is an issue of concern. Manufacturers of batteries are working with consumers to raise awareness.
Battery manufacturers are encouraged to implement “take-back-mechanisms” to ensure that used batteries are returned to proper dismantling facilities. Customers are discouraged from burning old batteries. It is now high time the life cycle of batteries is evaluated in order to identify opportunities for reducing environmental and social impact.
