Determination of the degree of danger of waste galvanic elements (batteries)
Authors: Snoz S.V. , Smerdova L.М. , Kudriavtseva A.H. , Kalashnikov A.A. , Bobyliova O.O. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract. In recent decades, the world has faced a new environmental problem ‒ waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Timely prevention of the formation of WEEE, minimization of their volume, reuse, recycling and recovery of resources ‒ all these issues require urgent appropriate solutions.

Aim. Determining the degree of hazard of waste galvanic elements (batteries) and assigning this waste to the category of hazardous or safe according to national norms and rules.

Materials and Methods. Waste galvanic cells (batteries) were the object of research. The samples were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The solutions were diluted with distilled water, filtered, and then the content of heavy metals was determined according to DSTU ISO 11885:2005 "Water quality. 33 elements were determined by the method of atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma" (ISO 11885:1996, IDT) and GOST 30178-96 "Raw materials and food products. Atomic absorption method for determination of toxic elements". Determination of elements was carried out on an optical emission spectrometer with an inductively coupled plasma "SHIMADZU ICPE-9820".

Research results. It was established that the content of lead, cadmium, mercury in waste galvanic elements (batteries) does not exceed the established hygienic standards for the soil ("Hygienic regulations of the permissible content of chemical substances in the soil", Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 1595 dated 14.07.2020). Mercury: in 25 samples it was detected at a level that is lower than the sensitivity of the method, in two samples it is 2.25 times and 4.2 times less than the Limit Permissible Concentrations (LPC); in four ‒ 27-48.8 times less, in three ‒ 58-91 times less. The LPC of mercury in soil is 2.1 mg/kg. Cadmium: in 1 sample it was detected at a level that is lower than the sensitivity of the method, in 26 samples it is 2-7.5 times less than the LPC; in the 7th ‒ 9-30 times less. The LPC of cadmium in soil is 1.5 mg/kg. Lead: in 13 samples it was detected at a level that is lower than the sensitivity of the method, in 2 samples it was 3 times less than the LPC, in 6 samples it was 12-19.4 times less than the LPC, in 13 samples ‒ in 24-31 times less than LPC. Maximum permissible limit for lead in soil is 32 mg/kg. It was established that the examined waste samples of galvanic elements (batteries) can be classified as safe and processed and disposed of at the appropriate enterprise.

Conclusions. The negative effect of WEEE components on the environment and, as a result, on human health is associated with the inevitable risk of their entering environmental objects due to improper handling of waste galvanic elements (batteries). In order to prevent and minimize the risk to the environment and the population, it is necessary to introduce selective sorting of WEEE components at the places of their generation or collection and sending them for processing, as well as to develop sanitary and epidemiological requirements for sorting processes and to carry out an examination of projects and installations for the utilization of such types of waste for compliance these requirements.

Key Words: waste electrical and electronic equipment, waste batteries and accumulators, hazard assessment.