Lead-acid batteries, despite being retired, still contain a significant amount of energy and can carry voltages over 300 volts, which is enough to be lethal. If improperly handled, they can cause short circuits, fires, or even explosions, posing serious risks to operators. In a recycling station in the south, workers like Zhang Lin, who operate informally, often handle these batteries without proper protective gear. They are seen disassembling old lead-acid batteries from low-speed electric vehicles, some of which still hold sulfuric acid inside. Pouring this acid into sewers is a common practice, raising serious environmental and health concerns.
Although newer technologies like lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries are becoming more prevalent in new energy vehicles, lead-acid batteries remain widely used in older models. This has led to a massive volume of waste lead batteries each year, with millions of tons generated annually. Despite regulations, the recycling process remains problematic, as many batteries end up in informal or illegal operations, leading to pollution and health risks.
The dangers of lead poisoning from improper handling of lead-acid batteries are well-documented. Lead compounds and sulfuric acid can seep into soil and water, causing long-term contamination. Children are especially vulnerable, with irreversible damage to their cognitive and behavioral development. The Chinese government has issued guidelines to control pollution from lead batteries, but enforcement remains inconsistent.
In some areas, illegal dismantling of batteries is widespread. Waste is often dumped in open areas or processed in unsafe conditions, leading to environmental degradation. For example, one case involved an individual illegally smelting lead batteries, resulting in severe pollution and legal consequences. These incidents highlight the urgent need for better regulation and safer recycling practices.
Despite existing policies, the lack of a standardized system for tracking and managing batteries makes it difficult to ensure proper disposal. Many small traders and workshops bypass formal recycling channels, further complicating the issue. While some companies are working to improve recycling efficiency, the costs associated with safe handling and processing remain high, making it less attractive than informal methods.
To address these challenges, stronger regulations, better enforcement, and increased public awareness are essential. Only through comprehensive efforts can the risks posed by lead-acid batteries be minimized, ensuring both environmental protection and human safety.
Street Lighting Pole
We started to manufacture Lighting Pole from 2001 and exported from 2003. We got CE certificate for Lighting pole from 2015.
Our firm introduced whole set of good-sized numerical control hydraulic
folding equipment(1280/16000) as well as equipped with a series of
good-sized professional equipments of armor plate-flatted machine,
lengthways cut machine, numerical control cut machine, auto-closed up
machine, auto-arc-weld machine, hydraulic redressing straight machine,
etc. The firm produces all sorts of conical, pyramidal, cylindrical
steel poles with production range of dia 50mm-2250mm, thickness
1mm-25mm, once taking shape 16000mm long, and large-scale steel
components. The firm also is equipped with a multicolor-spayed
pipelining. At the meantime, for better service to the clients, our firm
founded a branch com. The Yixing Jinlei Lighting Installation Com,
which offers clients a succession of service from design to manufacture
and fixing.
Street Lighting Pole, Lamp Pole, Powder Coated Lighting Pole
JIANGSU XINJINLEI STEEL INDUSTRY CO.,LTD , https://www.steel-pole.com