City Wants Battery Recycling in Tinga-an Stopped

Battery recycling in sitio Tinga-an, barangay San Nicolas Proper (Philippines) will be stopped and relocated after at least nine children were found with lead contamination in their blood samples.

On the recommendation of city health officer Stella Ygoña, Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered battery recycling stopped to protect children from contamination. Some 100 families in the sitio earn a living in recycling used car batteries.

A group of UP Diliman students had conducted a research study on the presence of contamination among school children of the Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial National High School.

There are strong indications that the recycling of used batteries may have contaminated the soil, air and water samples that ended up in the blood of children.

“The organic effects from lead exposure cannot be ruled out since the effects of chronic lead exposure are insidious and may take years to manifest,” Ygoña said.

Battery recycling exposes humans to diseases, especially children. It can reduce growth and decrease mental abilities. Lead can also damage the kidneys, human reproductive system and the central nervous system.

Children two years old and below are given early health intervention. There are ongoing education campaigns on the dangers of lead and its prevention.