Lead Poisoning Risks Rise Amid Africa's Solar Energy Growth
Rising demand for lead-acid batteries in Africa's renewable energy sector poses significant health risks due to inadequate recycling practices. Experts warn that lead contamination from informal recycling operations has become a critical public health issue, particularly affecting children and vulnerable communities.
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The rapid increase in lead-acid battery usage across Africa, driven by the solar energy boom, raises serious public health concerns. Contamination from a lead recycling plant in Owino Uhuru, Kenya, linked to over 20 deaths, continues to impact residents years after its closure in 2014.
Recent studies indicate that lead levels in soil near recycling sites exceed safe thresholds, with some areas reporting lead concentrations as high as 140,000 mg/kg. Informal recycling practices, often lacking regulation, exacerbate these risks.
Calls for stricter regulations and accountability in battery recycling are becoming more urgent as countries like South Africa implement producer responsibility systems. Without enhanced oversight, lead exposure will persist as a major threat to health and economic productivity.
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