Batteries.....Toxic Threat?
It is now the second millennium and technology has advanced tremendously throughout the years. And continues to do so as well. New and improved products and gadgets need batteries to conduct its purpose. Company's such as Battery Solutions states that the demand for batteries in the U.S. is projected to increase 5.8% every year through 2002. Battery Solutions claim that in 1998 there were over three billion industrial and household batteries sold in the United States alone. This demand for batteries will continue, as long as technology advances. It is a known fact that batteries power much of the equipment we use everyday for work or play. Telephone, laptops, radios, cars, and scores of other devices are all made portable with batteries. But what do you do with a battery after it runs down, or a rechargeable battery won't recharge? Many consumer would simply toss them into the garbage, not knowing what harm battery waste can do. All used batteries are hazardous waste. So they should be recycled and disposed correctly. Batteries come in many shapes in sizes and several types. Batteries are identified in two different categories. The two types are primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are bat
teries that have the same plate-active material as secondary types. However, these batteries are constructed so that only one continuous or intermittent discharge can be obtained. Types of primary batteries are alkaline, lithium, carbon-zinc, mercury, silver, and zinc batteries. Primary batteries are usually used for portable low-power appliances. Alkaline, Lithium, and carbon-zinc batteries are used for similar things such as radios, cameras, appliances, toys, and flashlights. Mercury, silver, and zinc batteries are used for smaller objects like hearing aids, pagers, calculators, and watches. Many people don't realize the harsh reality about battery waste and how it can affect mankind. Educating one another about battery waste is a good start. Batteries contain heavy metals so they should not be thrown in the garbage but rather recycled at a facility that accepts household batteries. The demand for battery will continue to increase, which leads to more battery waste. More battery waste means that additional recycling needs to be done. People that recycle and reuse batteries can help the progress of a cleaner sustainable environment for present and future generations. There are several federal laws and regulations relating to battery management. These restrictions protect the community from harsher harm from the waste. The EPA has the "Battery Act," whose goal if to phase out the use of mercury in batteries and provide for the efficient and cost-effective collection and recycling or proper disposal of used nickel cadmium batteries, small sealed lead-acid batteries, and certain other batteries, and for other purposes. The "Battery Act" only affects battery and product manufactures and battery waste handlers, not consumers. The "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act," "Occupational Safety and Health Act," and "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liabilities Act" are some of the other federal laws relating to battery management. These too protect the population from hazardous waste. Communities, local, state, and federal governments, businesses and the citizens will continue to press for new regulations and technologies which will help to ensure the protection of our environment and health. Secondary batteries are batteries that are constructed so that they may be rechargeable. Following a partical or complete discharge, by the flow of dissect current through them in a direction opposite to the current flow or discharge. Types of secondary batteries are lead acid batteries, nickel-cadmium, and nickel hydrogen batteries. Secondary batteries
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1761
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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