Waste batteries pose a threat to health and the environment

According to an environmental study in Canada, consumers only reuse about 2% of used batteries and tons of toxins from these batteries that are present every year at landfills.

According to the study, Canadians will throw nearly 500 million batteries in 2010, while in 2004 they threw about 347 million batteries. Discharged batteries contain heavy metals that can flow into places that bury garbage and contaminate areas that store clean water.

(Artwork: 4giftsdirect) From now until 2010, battery waste will contain 747 tons of lead per year known to affect a child's intelligence, half a ton of mercury can damage the human nervous system, 287 tons of nickel and 3,501 tons of manganese, all containing toxicity.

The report raises questions about the effectiveness of volunteer programs to encourage good work for the environment. Environmentalists recommend that a law be made for manufacturers to be accountable, forced to recall and recycle products. Manitoba State once suggested this program. Some provinces have studied measures related to electronic waste, including waste batteries.

Environment Minister John Baird said he was concerned about the issue. He said 'The results of the study will help the Canadian Ministry of Environment encourage the industry to improve battery recovery and recycling'.

VN