Although the use of batteries is decreasing, the battery pollution remains a worrying issue. Batteries contain heavy metals and toxic elements that can cause serious damage to the environment and human health if not handled properly. For example, a mercury battery can contaminate up to 600.000 liters of drinking water, causing devastating effects. This issue has led many people to ask: How much do batteries pollute?
In this article, we'll break down how much batteries pollute and what we can do to prevent this global environmental problem.
Battery contamination condition
Batteries contain hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, lithium and cadmium. In many cases, these substances are highly toxic and bioaccumulative, meaning they build up in the food chain and harm both humans and ecosystems. Just 40 alkaline batteries could contaminate 6,5 million litres of water, the equivalent of the size of an Olympic swimming pool.
Mercury is particularly harmful. It can cause serious diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. Furthermore, once it leaks into the environment, it can accumulate in fish tissues, affecting the food chain. Mercury does not degrade, persisting in the environment and affecting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems for long periods of time.
Lead, which is also present in some batteries, is a neurotoxic metal that can cause serious damage to the nervous system, kidneys and reproductive system in both humans and animals. Once released into the environment, it can be transported through the air and adhere to dust particles, contaminating soil and groundwater.
Lithium is another metal that can be found in batteries, especially rechargeable ones. Lithium is neurotoxic and toxic to the kidneys. When lithium particles are inhaled or ingested, they can cause serious health problems, such as pulmonary edema, myocardial depression, and in extreme cases, death.
Finally, we have cadmium, a carcinogenic metal that can cause serious lung damage when inhaled and kidney damage when ingested. Many batteries containing cadmium are disposed of improperly, which can lead to soil and water contamination.
Impact on water and ecosystem
The impact of batteries on aquatic ecosystems is alarming. As we have mentioned, a single mercury battery can contaminate up to 600.000 liters of water, which is equivalent to the water that a person would consume in a lifetime. Alkaline batteries, although less toxic than mercury batteries, can also cause a serious impact, contaminating up to 167.000 litres of water.
When batteries are disposed of in landfills or household waste, the toxic elements they contain, such as lead, cadmium or nickel, are slowly released when they come into contact with rainwater. This process causes heavy metals to leach into the soil and, ultimately, into aquifers, contaminating the sources of drinking water that supply entire populations.
In addition, fish and other aquatic organisms can absorb heavy metals released from discarded batteries into bodies of water. When humans consume fish contaminated with these metals, health problems can be catastrophic. Mercury, for example, is known to be a potent neurotoxin that can affect the brain and nervous system, especially in children and developing fetuses.
Lead in batteries also leaches easily into water. Once in the groundwater system, it can be extremely difficult to remove, and lead can remain in the environment for centuries. Even at low concentrations, lead is toxic to humans and animals, and has been linked to learning disabilities, birth defects, and childhood developmental disorders.
How much do batteries pollute?
Many of the devices we use every day, such as MP3 players, cameras and remote controls, rely on batteries to operate. However, when batteries are disposed of incorrectly, they create a huge amount of pollution in the environment. A small battery may seem harmless, but its cumulative impact is devastating.
To give you a clearer idea of the magnitude of the problem, here is a table showing the levels of contamination from different types of batteries:
- Mercury cell: 600.000 liters of water.
- Alkaline battery: 167.000 liters of water.
- Silver oxide battery: 14.000 liters of water.
- Common battery: 3.000 liters of water.
The reason behind this high rate of contamination is the slow decomposition of the materials that make up the batteries. When stored in landfills or incinerators, batteries release their heavy metals into the environment and, since there are no natural mechanisms to degrade these materials, the pollutants remain active in the ecosystem for hundreds or even thousands of years.
In addition, it is estimated that the exterior of a battery can take up to 100 years to completely decompose, during which time its chemical content is progressively released into the environment.
Solutions to prevent battery pollution
The solution to battery pollution lies not only with consumers and the way they dispose of their batteries, but also with manufacturers, who must adopt more environmentally responsible measures. Below we highlight some effective ways to reduce the impact of batteries on the environment.
- Promote proper recycling: Never dispose of batteries in regular trash. Always look for specific collection points for used batteries, as there are specialized systems capable of treating metals and hazardous waste.
- Use rechargeable batteries: Rechargeable batteries can replace up to 300 disposable batteries. They also have a longer lifespan and generate less waste in the long run, making them a much greener alternative.
- Buy products that do not require batteries: If possible, choose appliances that run on electricity or are solar powered.
- Do not burn or throw batteries into water: Throwing batteries into bodies of water is one of the most dangerous practices, as heavy metals dissolve rapidly in water, contaminating natural sources and potentially affecting the entire food chain.
Another vital step would be to raise awareness about the impact of counterfeit batteries. Not only do these types of batteries have a shorter lifespan, but their components do not pass proper quality controls, increasing the risks of contamination. Avoiding the purchase of counterfeit batteries is one of many actions consumers can take to protect the environment.
Battery regulation and recycling worldwide
Governments around the world have already implemented laws to regulate the use and disposal of batteries. For example, in the European Union there is a battery directive that requires manufacturers to fund recycling programs and ensure that batteries are handled safely at the end of their life.
Similar regulations have been promoted elsewhere, such as in the United States and some Latin American countries. For example, in Paraguay, Law No. 5.882/17 addresses the comprehensive management of batteries, breaking down responsibilities ranging from manufacturers to municipalities to ensure proper disposal.
In Spain, it is estimated that around 37% of all batteries consumed are recycled. Although this figure seems encouraging, it is important to remember that the goal should be to reach 75%. In addition, many of the materials found in batteries can be reused after recycling, which reduces the need to extract new natural resources and decreases the amount of energy used in the manufacture of new batteries.
A crucial aspect is to educate the population about the importance of going to specific collection points known as clean pointsThese spaces are specifically designed to store and process hazardous waste, preventing batteries from ending up polluting the environment.
Recycling batteries not only helps reduce the discharge of heavy metals into the environment, but also allows valuable materials to be recovered. Metals such as zinc, nickel or lithium can be recovered and reused in new products, promoting a more circular and sustainable economy.
The shift towards more effective battery management is already underway in several countries, but much remains to be done to reduce the environmental impact of the billions of batteries discarded each year.
It is essential to continue promoting recycling and to take as many measures as possible to reduce the use of disposable batteries. In this way, we can effectively minimise the environmental impact and protect ecosystems. Rechargeable batteries, proper recycling and reducing the use of battery-operated devices are some of the most important tools to achieve a more sustainable future for our society.