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The partnership is developing an international environmental standard to certify
lead battery manufacturing facilities that meet minimum emission limits and
implement a collection programme for battery recycling. Achievement of these
goals will reduce environmental lead exposures worldwide.
Lead poisoning is considered the most serious environmental
health threat to children and is one of the
most significant contributors to occupational disease.
Lead causes symptoms ranging from the loss of
neurological function to death depending upon the
extent of exposure. In children, lead exposure is
responsible for a significant decrease in school performance,
and the lowering of IQ scores. Both children
and adults can suffer from a range of illnesses
including effects on the central nervous system, kidneys,
gastrointestinal tract, and blood formation.
The World Health Organization estimates that 120
million people are overexposed to lead with 99 percent
of the most severely affected in the developing
world. Batteries account for the largest segment of
lead use – more than 75 percent.
To reduce the emission of lead both in the manufacture
and disposal of batteries, a partnership has been
set up in India by Occupational Knowledge (OK)
International with Development Alternatives, the National
Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India and
a lead battery manufacturer – Amara Raja.
The partnership aims to establish an environmental
audit and certification programme for lead battery
manufacturing facilities worldwide. Manufacturers
that meet minimum emission standards and agree to
implement a system to collect used lead batteries for
proper recycling will be eligible for certification and
for placement of an eco-label on their products.
At the same time, major battery purchasers will be
persuaded to choose only eco-label batteries,
thereby encouraging all manufacturers to seek the
certification.
The partnership is working cooperatively with lead
battery manufacturers, government and nongovernmental
organizations to develop the necessary
industry-wide environmental performance criteria
and is currently pilot-testing the audit protocol in
two battery plants in India.
