What are some of the dangers of using and disposing of batteries?
Batteries are dangerous for children and the environment. Tossed out batteries can result in landfills containing hazardous chemical waste. Every year thousands of children are harmed by swallowing batteries or inserting them into their noses. Batteries can get “stuck” in a child’s esophagus and digestive track resulting in damage to the stomach lining within just a few short hours. Swallowed batteries can obstruct the airway or throat. Even the small disc or button shaped batteries can be dangerous. Chemical burns can result in a child’s mouth, lips and tongue due to the alkaline contents which can leak from the battery. Dry cell batteries contribute approximately 50% of the cadmium and approximately 88% of the total mercury content found in municipal solid waste streams. The heavier metals such as mercury may end vaporize and end up in the air. Cadmium may be released into the ash of the burnt trash at landfills and refuse disposal facilities, to later leak into the air and ground. B
