Page 202 - Mechanic Diesel - TT

MECHANIC DIESEL - CITS

Disposal of waste battery
INTRODUCTION: Approximately 85% of the total global consumption of lead is for the production of lead-acid
batteries. This represents a fast-growing market, especially in Asia. The main uses of these batteries are in motorized
vehicles, for storage of energy generated by photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, and for back-up power supplies
(for both the consumer market and for critical systems such as telecommunications and hospitals). In developing
countries where power supplies are unreliable lead-acid batteries are used domestically for lighting and electrical
appliances. The growth in of renewable energy sources and the concomitant need for storage batteries, as well
as the in demand for motor vehicles as countries undergo economic development, mean that the demo lead-acid
batteries will continue to increase. This is reflected in the increased global demand refined lead metal, which was
estimated at 10.83 million tons in 2016. The demand is being in increases in both primary lead productions from
mines and recycling. Indeed, currently over h global production of lead is from lead recycling. The manufacturing
and recycling of lead-acid batteries is practiced worldwide in both regulated industries and unregulated, informal
establishments. Lead recycling is an important source of environmental contamination and h exposure in many
countries. This is because it is frequently carried out without the necessary processes and technologies to control
lead emissions and, in many developing countries, is a regulated industry. The unregulated, informal recycling
of used lead-acid batteries presents problems as it is mainly carried out by small family businesses, often in
domestic backyards, sometimes in secret. Even established, industrial-scale recycling facilities can, however,
cause significant environmental contamination and human exposure to lead in countries without ad
standards or when regulatory controls are inadequately enforced. Recycling used lead-acid batteries is of public
health concern because this industry is associated with a high level of occupational exposure and environmental
emissions. Further there is no known safe level of exposure to lead, and the health impacts of lead exposure
are significant. Based on 2016 data, it is estimated that lead exposure accounted for 495 550 dean 9.3 million
disability-adjusted life years lost due to long term impacts on health, with the high burden in low- and middle-
income countries. Young children and women of childbearing age a particularly vulnerable to exposure to, and
the toxic effects of, lead.

How lead exposure occurs during recycling and disposal
The main pathways of exposure to lead from recycling used lead-acid batteries arise from environmental emissions.
These occur at various stages in the recycling process, as described below. Lead particles and fumes emitted into
the air can be inhaled and are also deposited onto soil, water bodies and other surfaces, including in gardens and
homes. Waste materials from lead processing can, if not treated and correctly disposed of, contaminate land and
water bodies. Used acid with high concentrations of lead is often dumped on land or released into waterways.
Lead can enter the food chain through crops growing on contaminated land, from direct deposition onto crops,
through food animals foraging in contaminated areas and consuming lead particles, and from fish and shellfish
living in lead-contaminated water

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CITS : Automotive - Mechanic Diesel - Lesson 57 - 61