As the world races towards a “green” energy future, a new environmental threat is emerging from an “unexpected” source: lithium-ion batteries.
These power packs, essential for electric vehicles and modern gadgets, are now under scrutiny for their potential to release harmful “forever chemicals” into the environment.
A recent study by U.S. researchers has uncovered a troubling link between lithium-ion batteries and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
These findings could have significant implications for the green tech industry and investors alike.
The research team, spanning universities in Texas and North Carolina, analyzed samples from 87 global locations.
They found a concerning chemical compound called bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimide (bis-FASI) leaking from battery production sites and disposal areas.
This unregulated substance appears to be as toxic as PFOA, a notorious industrial chemical linked to various health issues.
White Watch crews recently tackled a Cycle Shop #fire, 50% of the ground floor shop and 10% of the first floor were #damaged by the #blaze.
With E-Bikes being sold in store, Lithium #batteries were involved and did pose a #risk to crews.
This #incident ended up as a 6 Pump fire pic.twitter.com/hvK4DI1rLI
— London Fire Haringey (@HaringeyLFB) July 8, 2024
Professor Jennifer Guelfo of Texas Tech University put it bluntly: “Slashing CO2 emissions with innovations like electric cars is critical, but it shouldn’t come with the side effect of increasing PFAS pollution.”
This revelation comes at a critical time for the lithium-ion battery market.
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Demand is set to skyrocket in the coming decade, driven by the electric vehicle boom and renewable energy storage needs.
However, the industry’s recycling capabilities are lagging far behind, with only 5% of these batteries currently being recycled.
The environmental impact could be substantial. Estimates suggest up to 8 million tons of spent lithium-ion batteries could end up in landfills by 2040.
The study found high concentrations of bis-FASI in U.S. landfill areas, indicating these chemicals can leach into the surrounding environment.
More worryingly, the research suggests that air emissions of bis-FASI may allow it to spread far beyond manufacturing sites.
This long-range transport potential raises concerns about widespread contamination.
While the full health impacts of bis-FASI on humans remain unclear, toxicity tests showed it poses a significant threat to aquatic life at concentrations similar to those found in the environment.
Security footage of the incident shows workers dealing with the incident. It was later confirmed that these were lithium batteries, not lithium-ion batteries, as initially reported.
These workers are breathing in toxic gases while trying to combat the event with the limited… https://t.co/mBIydQ6HMW pic.twitter.com/42leROLY8O
— Randy Narine (@RandyNarinee) June 26, 2024
The chemical’s resistance to breakdown suggests it could persist indefinitely, much like other PFAS compounds.
Lee Ferguson of Duke University, a study co-author, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach: “We should harness the expertise of scientists, engineers, sociologists and policy makers to develop and promote use of clean energy infrastructure while minimising the environmental footprint.”
There is a silver lining. The study found that existing water treatment methods for other PFAS compounds can effectively remove bis-FASI from water supplies. However, this addresses only part of the problem, leaving air and soil contamination concerns unresolved.
For investors and industry watchers, these findings present both challenges and opportunities.
Companies that can develop safer battery technologies or more efficient recycling methods may gain a significant competitive advantage.
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Meanwhile, those slow to adapt could face regulatory risks and potential liabilities.
