The use of batteries in the modern days has become an essential need for a wide range of electrical devices and products that are globally used. Batteries are convenient sources being used from household applications such as toys, remote controls, torch lights to large industrial operations. Not only batteries supply convenient power sources, it has a significant role as a back-up power in critical needs such as in hospitals, airports and military undertakings. Batteries come in different size and shapes in adapting different types of devices being used, but mainly consists of two elements to direct electric current: an electrolyte and a heavy metal. There are four major types of batteries that are being used widely: dry cell battery, mercury battery, lead storage battery and lithium-ion battery. The sole purpose of batteries definitely abundantly contributes to mankind, providing conveniences to the usage of daily appliances. However, the abuse of the use of batteries and negligence of the proper way of disposing has become a critical issue that everyone should be aware of. The contents in batteries such as mercury, lead, cadmium, lithium and nickel are hazardous to human health when batteries are erroneously disposed of. Contamination of the environment may also be severe due to the release of the hazardous contents in the batteries. No doubt that the blame is on the actions of mankind. People choose to ignore the proper way of disposal of the wastes that no longer useful to them. The direct and fastest way of getting rid of them is to dump into the dustbin, which eventually ends up in the landfill. As the flow of living has become more hectic, convenience of actions has prioritized the living standard of most people, thus neglecting the environmental issue that may arise.
The lack of awareness on the harmful effect that the disposed batteries may bring is also the deciding factor of excessive batteries disposal. Most people are unaware of the contents that a battery contains. For most people, they are just unused wastes that belong to the trash while leaving the rest to other affiliated authority (garbage collector). The excessive disposal of batteries may also due to the shallow knowledge of the proper ways of disposing or handling the wastes. Besides that, the lack of uniform regulatory policy in a country can contribute to the negligence of mankind on excessive batteries disposal. It has reported by the City of Richland's Environmental Education Programme that an average person residing in the United States owns about two button batteries, ten disposable alkaline batteries (A, AA, AAA, 9V, etc) and throws away about eight household batteries per year. The amount of disposed batteries will be an unimaginable and insurmountable considering the whole population in the world. For instance, 960 metric tons of wet cell lead acid batteries had been collected for recycling in 2003.
In Bangladesh, batteries are disposed in open air. It is extremely dangerous as when the batteries corroded, harmful substances easily penetrate into the ground, soil, and water sources on ground. Lead can be inhaled through lead dust and ingested when accidentally touched mouth lips with contaminated hands. Pregnant woman and children are extremely vulnerable to the exposure of excessive lead. Excessive exposure to leads can affect the growth of a child, causing brain damage, memory loss and reduce the level of concentration. The damage of the brain and nervous system can be caused by exposure to lead. Researchers believe that Ludwig van Beethoven became ill and died from lead poisoning.
Cadmium is another harmful substance which is used in nickel-cadmium batteries. Prolonged exposure to cadmium had caused workers at NiCd manufacturing plants in Japan in experiencing health problems. Excessive exposure to cadmium can cause kidneys related diseases. When cadmium permeates to the soil, it is easily taken up by plant roots and accumulated in edible plants such as fruits and vegetables. Contaminated water sources and plants consumed by mankind and animals are then exposed to the substances related illness.
From 2009 to 2010, researchers have sampled air for concentration of lead in lead battery manufacturing plant that is located outside of the capital city of Nairobi. It has measured that the concentrations of lead has exceeded the lead level permissible by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The workers are exposed to lead through dust and direct contact to suspended lead. They are exposed to lead through inhalation or direct ingestion through hand-to-mouth contact. Chronic exposure has led to health problems even in very low levels of lead amount. Children who are near to the sources of lead exposure also have high risks of lead related illness. The study has served as a warning, might as well a reminder to address the issue of lead related health problems to the world especially countries like Kenya.
Improper disposal of batteries not only causes dreadful effects on humans, it also contaminates the environment with its components. Batteries are often disposed through garbage and eventually end up in the landfill. The leaching of toxic compounds into the soil and water ground further pollutes the lakes and sites supporting wildlife. The toxic compounds are released into the air through combustion process. Methane gases which are generated in landfills also lead to the ‘greenhouse effect’ and global climatic changes. Researchers have found that batteries using cathodes with nickel and cobalt and solvent-based electrode processing are the highest risks for negative health and environmental impacts as the production and processing of the metal compounds are hazardous. The environmental impacts include resource depletion, global warming, and ecological toxicity.
Dry cell batteries contribute about 88 percent of the total mercury and 50 percent of the cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. In the past, batteries accounted for nearly half of the mercury used in the United States and over half of the mercury and cadmium in the municipal solid waste stream. When burned, some heavy metals such as mercury may vaporize and escape into the air, and cadmium and lead may end up in the ash.
The lack of awareness on the issue that improper ways of batteries disposal may arise has endowed to the excessive disposal of batteries. Hence, it is significant to increase the awareness on the batteries related issue, be it the way of disposal or the effects of the exposure to the contents of batteries. Campaigns and programs should be held to promote more on proper ways in handling unused batteries. It is important to convince consumers that recycle is extremely essential in helping to preserve a healthy environment for us to live in.
There are environmental friendly ways of handling unused batteries that everyone should take note of. Rather than disposing the wastes into the garbage, it is encouraged to return the used batteries to responsible recycling authorities. If we do not possess of ability in properly handling them as waste, at least a proper way of disposing should be promising. Many organizations are being set up to promote the proper ways of disposing and recycling batteries. We should do our parts in collecting unused batteries for recycling instead of simply disregard them. Not only recycle batteries can save energy, natural resources, reduces pollution, it can generate incomes. In promoting recycling of batteries, most organizations offer monetary remunerations in appreciation of batteries collected.
Batteries are generally categorized into either single use batteries or rechargeable batteries. Single use batteries are the ones that are normally being disposed. Thus, in addition to save mankind and environment from excessive batteries disposal, it is encouraged to buy batteries that is rechargeable. This is essential in decreasing the amount of batteries being disposed. Another helpful method is to purchase batteries that contain less mercury, lead and cadmium. Purchasing less-toxic and reusable products definitely helps in reducing inevitable release of potentially hazardous wastes to the earth.
Consumers might be the central cause of excessive disposal of batteries. However, seller also plays a definite role in assisting the decrease of inappropriate methods of handling and disposing batteries. In precise, complete information on the safety and appropriate ways of disposal should be given to customers during any batteries purchase. Besides, government plays a part in implementing strict laws regarding disposal of batteries. Consumers can be reminded of batteries recycle by including the battery chemistry, the “three chasing arrows” symbol in batteries label, and a phrase indicating that the user must recycle or dispose of the battery properly.
In June 19, 2013 as reported by ACS News Service Weekly PressPac, a battery made from a sliver of wood coated with tin has been developed, promising an efficient and environmentally friendly energy source. The use of wood as the source of energy raises the promising possibility of substitution of toxic contains batteries with environmental friendly device. The nations should always be aware of the environmental issue that happen in the earth that we are living in. Everyone should hold a responsibility in preserving our mother earth and supports any possible campaigns that promote earth saving.

Bibliography:

ACS News Service Weekly PressPac: June 19, 2013. An environmentally friendly battery made from wood. Retrieved from http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2013/acs-presspac-june-19-2013/an-environmentally-friendly-battery-made-from-wood.html

Craig (2011). Alkaline Batteries – Just Throw them in the Garbage! Retrieved from http://blog.ecycler.com/2011/03/31/alkaline-batteries/

Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM. (nil) What Makes Batteries Toxic? Retrieved from http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/f/Beware-Of-Batteries.htm

M. Asad, (2013). Environmental Effects of battery disposal. Retrieved from http://www.demotix.com/news/1876695/environmental-effects-battery-disposal#media-1876678

Were, FH, GN Kamau, PM Shiundu, GA Wafula and CM Moturi. 2012. Air and blood lead levels in lead acid battery recycling and manufacturing plants in Kenya. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2012.673458.