Rechargeable batteries are a source of chemicals that are very harmful to health

According to an American study, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and devices are considered a growing source of chemicals.

Rechargeable batteries
According to an international study, rechargeable batteries contribute to the growing problems of "eternal chemicals".

According to a new study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, the "eternal chemicals" that contaminate soil and waterways may come from an increasing number of sources, including rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in common electronic devices, electric cars and energy storage devices.

Between January and October 2022, United States researchers collected soil, sediment and water samples at 87 locations in Minnesota, Kentucky, Belgium and France, specifically in areas close to long-term chemical manufacturers, such as 3M companies and Arkema.

Scientists have found that Bis-FASI concentrations in parts per billion (ppb) are typical in the vicinity of industrial facilities, having appeared around industrial facilities in snow, water, slodge and soil. The authors of the study also found bis-FASIs in leached liquids from landfills.

Circular economy of rechargeable batteries.
A representation of the circular economy that seeks to promote sustainable consumption, where recycling operations are part of the circular economy. Source: V. Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure (2024).

Jennifer Guelfo, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at Texas Tech University and one of the authors of the study, suggests that lithium-ion batteries, when considered collectively, can be a source of chemical pollution forever, from birth to death.

"If nothing is done, this problem may worsen as more and more aspects of our lives, from buildings and cars to homes and offices, become entirely electronic."

Jennifer Guelfo, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering at Texas Tech University and one of the authors of the study

Guelfo also suggests that measures be taken to mitigate environmental releases of PFAS, instead of waiting decades to see what toxicological studies have to say.

The 3M company, the target of numerous lawsuits over the years for manufacturing PFAS, has promised to gradually eliminate chemicals forever by the end of 2025 and continue to clean up the contamination around its facilities even after that. This includes stopping producing bis-FASIs.

Eternal chemicals in fresh water

Regarding freshwater species, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that the consumption of one dose of freshwater fish per year can have the same harmful effects as a month of drinking water contaminated with PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds).

In addition, high concentrations of perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS) are harmful to health. According to David Andrews, senior scientist at EWG and one of the study's leading authors, people who frequently consume freshwater fish are at risk of having high amounts of PFAS in their bodies.

The chemical consistently found in the highest quantities in freshwater fish was PFOS, an old ingredient of 3M's Scotchgard. On average, PFOS is responsible for almost three out of four PFAS detections.


Article reference:
Guelfo, J.L., Ferguson, P.L., Beck, J. et al. "Lithium-ion battery components are at the nexus of sustainable energy and environmental release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances." (2024)