Lead acid batteries are rechargeable batteries consisting of lead plates with a sulfuric acid/water electrolyte solution. Car batteries and deep cycle batteries use lead acid technology. All batteries have positive and negative terminals, marked (+) and (-) respectively, and two corresponding electrodes.
The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents.
The REACH-regulation (1907 /2006/EC) describes the setting up and updating of safety data sheets for substances and mixtures. For articles – like lead-acid batteries – safety data sheets are not required. The transfer of a leaflet with “instructions for the safe handling of batteries“ has to be interpreted simply as a product information.
Furthermore all lead-acid batteries have to be marked with a crossed-out wheelie bin and with the chemical symbol for lead Pb shown below. In addition, the ISO- recycling symbol is marked. The manufacturer, respectively the importer of the batteries shall be responsible for the attachment of the symbols.
The Battery Directive sets requirements for the lead-acid batteries’ recycling process, and hazardous substance contained. For example, the Battery Directive requires that the recycling processes of lead-acid batteries must achieve a minimum efficiency of 65%, and the batteries must be removable from appliances.
Spent lead-acid batteries are not allowed to dispose in the domestic waste or be mixed with other batteries in order not to compliance the processing and to prevent danger to humans and the environment. By no means may the electrolyte, the diluted sulphuric acid, be emptied in an inexpert manner.
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The lead–acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery first invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté. It is the first type of rechargeable battery ever created. Compared to modern rechargeable batteries, lead–acid batteries have relatively low energy density. Despite this, they are able to supply high surge currents. These features, along with their low cost, make them attractive for u…