Study on the environmental risk assessment of lead-acid batteries

Lead-acid batteries were widely used as important power supply devices that include automotive, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), telecommunication systems and various traction duties. According to statistics, approximately 3 million tons waste batteries are generated every year and the production of lead-acid batteries will continue to rise even more sharply with sustained and rapid development of economy. Lead-acid batteries were consisted of electrolyte, lead and lead alloy grid, lead paste, and organics and plastics, which include lots of toxic, hazardous, flammable, explosive substances that can easily create potential risk sources. The materials contained in lead-acid batteries may bring about lots of pollution accidents such as fires, explosions, poisoning and leaks, contaminating environment and damaging ecosystem. The environmental risk assessment was required to be studied further in view of the diversity, emergency, and the serious consequences of the environmental accidents that may caused by lead-acid batteries. The environment risk assessment was presented in this paper particularly, the framework of environmental risk assessment on lead-acid batteries was established and methods for analyzing and forecasting the environmental risk of lead-acid batteries were selected. The work procedure included identifying accident, analyzing risk, pollution forecast and defensive measures. By analysing the environmental risk assessment of lead-acid batteries, the study supplied direction for the preventive measures according to the forecast results of lead-acid batteries. The basic theories were provided for the safe use of lead-acid batteries. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.