BATTERY POLLUTION

batteries pollution In Mexico, electronic gadgets is producing an unwanted and potentially lethal side effect - battery pollution. Mercury, a toxic metal used in most batteries, is starting to seep into the soil around garbage dumps, and in poor areas in lakes or in the countryside. The leakage has raised fears that Mexico is slowly being contaminated by the dry cells that power its calculators, cameras, portable stereos and watches. this cause health effects have been reported so far, the situation is receiving special attention here. In part, that is because the electronics industry is so important to Mexico. Few Sites for Landfills Furthermore, the battery problem is especially serious in our country we dont have landfills,to dispose batteries.....and in this case in the future the landfills are full, they are converted to other uses, such as for schoolyards. ''In 20 years we'll have 10,000 landfill sites, all contaminated,'' 'They'll be converted to other uses. Who can guarantee that nothing will happen?'' As concern has spread in the last few months, hundreds of municipalities in other countries have passed laws requiring batteries to be collected separately from other garbage. Camera and appliance shops are being supplied with boxes to collect used batteries for recycling. There are even proposals to require deposits of 4 cents to 8 cents on each battery......the problem is in Mexico we dont have this laws. A Separate Problem The fear of mercury pollution is growing just as Mexico has begun to come to grips with another battery- related problem. As batteries have become smaller, especially with the introduction of button-shaped versions, infants have started swallowing them. A swallowed battery can burn holes in the intestines and cause inflammations and the most important: pollution in the water.