| ad Acid batteries pose a threat to our environment | | | | almost 60% of all batteries sold worldwide. They are |
| and should be managed properly for disposal. | | | | used for starting, lighting, and ignition (SLI) service on |
| Hazardous material makes up most of the ingredients | | | | automobiles and trucks, as well as providing power |
| of this product that can leach out into our | | | | for automobiles, forklifts, submarines, and almost all |
| waterways, contaminating our future resources. | | | | other motive vehicles. Lead acid batteries are noted |
| Some local agencies currently have imposed | | | | for their ability to withstand varied forms of |
| regulations to manage this material properly for Used | | | | maltreatment, and are often used as back-up power |
| Lead Acid Battery Recycling. | | | | sources should the primary battery or electrical |
| Waste batteries may be considered hazardous waste | | | | power fail. Lead acid batteries use a simple set of |
| because of their corrosively, reactivity, or toxicity. | | | | reactions to provide energy. All styles of these |
| According to battery-producing industry sources, | | | | batteries use the same active materials. The positive |
| nickel cadmium batteries typically exhibit hazardous | | | | electrode is Lead dioxide (PbO2), which is converted |
| waste characteristics, whereas low mercury alkaline | | | | to Lead sulfate (PbSO4), while the negative |
| and carbon-zinc batteries do not. Alkaline batteries | | | | electrode is a spongy metallic Lead (Pb), which is also |
| with higher concentrations of mercury and larger | | | | converted to Lead sulfate (PbSO4). The electrolyte is |
| mercury batteries would be likely to test as | | | | a dilute mixture of sulfuric acid that provides the |
| hazardous, and some lithium batteries might be | | | | sulfate ion for the discharge reactions. There are |
| considered reactive. Lead acid batteries are | | | | three common types of Lead acid batteries: flooded |
| considered corrosive, as well as toxic. (Gel cell | | | | (or wet), absorbed glass mat (AGM), and gel cell. |
| batteries, are a subset of Lead acid batteries, and | | | | Flooded (or wet) Lead acid batteries are those |
| should be treated the same.) Button batteries may or | | | | where the electrodes / plates are immersed in |
| may not test as hazardous, depending on their type | | | | electrolyte. Since gases created during charging are |
| and size. | | | | vented to the atmosphere, distilled water must be |
| Lead acid batteries are made up of plates, Lead, and | | | | added occasionally to bring the electrolyte back to its |
| Lead oxide with a 35% sulfuric acid and 65% water | | | | required level. The most familiar example of a flooded |
| electrolyte solution. Lead acid batteries represent | | | | Lead acid cell is the 12V automobile battery. |