Appendix B. Environmental Compliance
DRAFT
B.2.2 The Risks and Your Role in Reducing Them
Your participation is an important part of the effort to minimize the impact of batteries and
accumulators on the environment and on human health. For proper recycling you can return this
product or the batteries or accumulators it contains to your supplier or to a designated collection
point.
Some batteries or accumulators contain toxic metals that pose serious risks to human health and to
the environment. When required, the product marking includes chemical symbols that indicate the
presence toxic metals: Pb for lead, Hg for mercury, and Cd for cadmium.
• Cadmium poisoning can result in cancer of the lungs and prostate gland. Chronic effects
include kidney damage, pulmonary emphysema, and bone diseases such as osteomalcia and
osteoporosis. Cadmium may also cause anemia, discoloration of the teeth, and loss of smell
(anosmia).
• Lead is poisonous in all forms. It accumulates in the body, so each exposure is significant.
Ingestion and inhalation of lead can cause severe damage to human health. Risks include brain
damage, convulsions, malnutrition, and sterility.
• Mercury creates hazardous vapors at room temperature. Exposure to high concentrations of
mercury vapor can cause a variety of severe symptoms. Risks include chronic inflammation of
mouth and gums, personality change, nervousness, fever, and rashes.
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