New Delhi   

Lead smelting operations a cause of concern

NEW DELHI: The Capital and adjoining areas have only three registered recyclers for lead acid batteries, of which only one is in working condition. Improper disposal of old batteries and lead smelting operations is known to have an adverse affect on human health and environment.

In Delhi, the working recycling unit is used to collect discarded battery to recover lead. On an average 10 tonnes of battery is collected at Rs.10 per kg (which includes rate of old battery, fuel and transportation price) per week.

This was found in a survey conducted by Toxics Link which also looked at the trade route, market and disposal of batteries. The report indicated that there was inefficient management of lead acid battery scrap and that people in the sector worked bare handed and without any precautionary gears. The study also looked at economics and the environmental, health and social issues associated with lead acid batteries.

“It was found that the market of non-branded battery was higher compared with the branded battery and the sale of battery was higher by the non-registered small battery shopkeepers compared with registered importers. The unorganised sector recyclers are spread all over the Delhi including in Narela, Jangpura, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Mayapuri, Gokhale Market, Sadar Bazar, Mandoli, Motiakhan, Turkmann Gate, Ballabhgarh and Old Seelampur,” states the report.

Recycling units received batteries collected from scrap dealers and recycled them to recover lead. The smelting process that comprises heating of plates in an open furnace called “bhati” was carried out without any air pollution control measures in place. The waste generated from the process was disposed in the open without proper treatment.

Most of the workers involved in business were found to be poor migrants from the States of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and few from Haryana. Belonging to poor economic and social background, the workers were found to be between the age group 12 to 35 years.

Most of the workers were found to be suffering from skin pigmentation, dental problems, and discharge of gray water from eyes, coughing and asthma.

Pointing out the problems in system, the report notes that collection system of batteries after use was not centralised or regulated in India.

“The informal recycling plants are largely backyard operations, which are not covered under any regulations. This makes their working occupationally hazardous. It was found that workers were using crude methods and equipments for scrapping. The peak season for recycling units is summers when huge load comes because of the demand for inverters in the city to meet electric crisis,” notes the report.

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