October 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka could be releasing more than 5,000 metric tonnes of sulphuric acid into the environment each year through the improper handling and recycling of lead-acid batteries, raising serious concerns about pollution and public health, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) has warned.
In a statement issued on Saturday (24), the environmental organisation highlighted the risks posed by discarded batteries, particularly when their acidic contents are allowed to seep into the ground or are disposed of without appropriate treatment.
The CEJ cautioned that the dangers extend beyond sulphuric acid, as waste produced during battery recycling, including smelting slag and discarded acid, can contain hazardous heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and arsenic. If these substances enter the soil and surrounding environment, they could contribute to long-term contamination and expose nearby communities to harmful pollutants.
The organisation also disclosed that more than 2,000 formal and informal lead-smelting sites are operating across the country, with insufficient environmental safeguards at many locations. The scale of these operations has raised questions about whether existing oversight mechanisms are adequate to prevent pollution and ensure the safe handling of hazardous waste.
According to the CEJ, weaknesses in the monitoring and regulation of battery acid and other industrial waste remain a significant concern, particularly in the process of issuing environmental licences. Without effective supervision, unsafe disposal practices could continue, increasing the risk of contamination.
The organisation has called for a coordinated system to collect, handle and recycle used battery acid and associated waste safely. It has also urged authorities to strengthen enforcement of existing environmental legislation and ensure that recycling facilities comply with the required standards.
These issues were discussed during an online awareness programme conducted under the leadership of CEJ Chairman Hemantha Withanage. The session included presentations by Alda Dubey of India’s Toxics Link and Sudesh Nandasiri of Ceylon Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd, who contributed to discussions on the environmental challenges associated with battery recycling and hazardous waste management.
The initiative formed part of a wider series of activities organised by the CEJ from October 18 to 24 to mark the Global Week of Action on Lead Poisoning Prevention, held under the theme ‘From Detection to Prevention’.
As part of the campaign, the organisation conducted awareness sessions for schoolchildren and waste disposal workers attached to the Kolonnawa Municipal Council. The programmes focused on electronic waste, the dangers of lead exposure and the importance of adopting safer practices when handling discarded electrical equipment and batteries.
Public education efforts were also extended through digital media to help inform a wider audience about the consequences of lead pollution and the need for responsible waste disposal.
The CEJ placed particular emphasis on the health risks associated with lead exposure, especially among children. Lead is a toxic substance that can affect brain development and the nervous system, and the organisation stressed that no level of lead exposure is considered safe.
Children are particularly vulnerable to its harmful effects, making prevention, early identification of exposure and effective environmental controls essential to protecting their health.
The organisation has called on government authorities, businesses, waste management operators and the public to work together to address the risks posed by unsafe battery recycling. It stressed that stronger regulation, responsible disposal practices and greater public awareness are vital to reducing pollution and preventing lead poisoning, particularly among younger generations.
