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Thursday, June 16, 2011

U.S. Exports Lead Poisoning to Mexico With Used Batteries

It has been reported that lead battery exports are contributing to lead exposure in Mexico. The reported levels detected greatly exceed the allowed by the U.S. government on the job and in the environment. This information has been found out by two environmental organizations, one on Mexican and another on U.S soil.

Usually less strict environmental and occupational safety regulations in Mexico make it profitable for U.S. companies to ship batteries to Mexico for recycling, the report finds.

The report, "Exporting Hazards: U.S. Shipments of Used Lead Batteries to Mexico Take Advantage of Lax Environmental and Worker Health Regulations," finds that from 2009 to 2010, exports of used lead batteries to Mexico more than doubled. The authors of the report found that roughly 12 percent of used lead batteries generated in the United States are exported to Mexico. They also note in the report that the use battery exports from the U.S. to Mexico are on the rise since the tightening of U.S. air quality standards in 2008.

"This report raises serious concerns about the contribution of used batteries from the U.S. to lead poisoning south of the border," said Perry Gottesfeld, executive director of Occupational Knowledge International. "It is remarkable that both governments allow U.S. companies to export batteries to Mexico where there is neither the regulatory capacity nor the technology in place to recycle them safely," Gottesfeld said. "There are significant health effects from lead at the exposure levels we have documented."

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances says lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system.

The report was conducted between November 2010 and May 2011 and evaluated lead battery recycling facilities across Mexico and the United States. Click here to view the report.

Read the entire article on the report here.

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