Is a battery toxic?

While throwing away batteries may seem harmless, it can have dire effects on the environment. Each battery contains hazardous, toxic and corrosive materials like mercury, cadmium, lithium, and lead.

Does swollen battery explode?

Yes. A swollen lithium-ion battery can be extremely dangerous if left in your device. A swollen cell phone battery could even catch fire or explode while you’re holding it, leading to serious injury.

Is drained battery harmful?

Toxic Heavy Metals When batteries are not properly disposed of the casing can disintegrate and the toxic chemicals within can leach into the surrounding environment. The leaking material can contaminate the soil and water and some of the elements can accumulate in wildlife and humans.

How are batteries disposed?

Many municipalities offer a menu of options for recycling batteries, ranging from Community Recycling Centres, Battery Recycling Barrels located in libraries community centres, and local retailers, to curbside pick up; you just put your used batteries in a handy Zip-lock battery recycling bag and place it on top of …

What happens if you puncture a AA battery?

Batteries can be very dangerous when ingested or chewed by pets. When a battery is punctured or swallowed, the alkaline or acidic material can leak out and cause corrosive injury to the mouth and other body tissues. Ulcers in the mouth may not be seen for hours after battery puncture or ingestion.

What do you do with a damaged battery?

What do I do with a damaged battery or device? Package the battery or device in a non-flammable material such as sand or kitty litter as soon as possible. Do not place these batteries in the trash or in a regular Call2Recycle collection container to avoid a safety hazard, such as a spark or fire.

Why do batteries bloat?

Swollen batteries are the result of two things: energy density and heat. The swelling is the result of too much current coursing, in a noncontrolled fashion, inside a cell of the battery, which causes a build-up of heat and gas.

What are the potential dangers of disposing batteries?

When improperly disposed of, batteries can leak heavy harmful metals, such as nickel, cadmium and lithium which contaminate our local soils, groundwater, and streams. If incinerated, batteries release toxic gases containing heavy metals into the atmosphere.