The health risks associated with lead from lead-acid batteries primarily arise from exposure to lead itself and the sulfuric acid electrolyte contained within the batteries.
Health Risks from Lead Exposure
- Lead is a highly toxic metal constituting about 60% of an automotive lead-acid battery’s weight. Exposure to lead can occur through inhalation of lead dust or fumes, especially when batteries are heated, soldered, or sanded, which release inhalable lead particles without any odor, making exposure difficult to detect.
- Low-level lead exposure symptoms include fatigue, impaired central nervous system functions, and impaired learning.
- More severe lead poisoning can cause brain damage, affect children’s growth, damage kidneys, impair hearing, and lead to coma, convulsions, seizures, irreversible mental retardation, and even death.
- Occupational or improper recycling exposures, such as melting battery slag without safety controls, have resulted in lead poisoning cases globally.
Risks from Sulfuric Acid and Battery Gases
- The sulfuric acid electrolyte in the batteries is highly corrosive and can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, and irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory system if contacted or inhaled.
- When charging, lead-acid batteries emit hydrogen and oxygen gases. Hydrogen is flammable, heavier than air, and can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas, posing explosion and fire hazards.
- Inhaling battery fumes can damage the respiratory system and cause serious health effects, including death at high concentrations.
Summary of Key Health Risks
| Hazard Source | Health Risks |
|---|---|
| Lead exposure | Fatigue, CNS impairment, learning disabilities, brain damage, kidney damage, hearing impairment, coma, seizures, death |
| Sulfuric acid contact | Skin burns, eye irritation, respiratory irritation |
| Battery gas inhalation | Respiratory damage, risk of fatal poisoning at high exposure, explosion/fire risk |
Proper handling, use of personal protective equipment (such as masks), adequate ventilation, and responsible disposal or recycling of lead-acid batteries are critical to minimizing these health risks.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-health-risks-associated-with-lead-from-lead-acid-batteries/
