Developments of Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Neurological Diseases Associated with Lithium Battery Disposal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction
With the rapid increase in electric vehicle (EV) production and ownership, disposal of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries [1] has become a critical environmental challenge. These batteries contain chemicals like lithium hexafluorophosphate, and organic carbonates (e.g., ethylene carbonate such as ethylene carbonate, and toxic metals such as cadmium and lead [2]. Inhalation of these substances can lead to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonitis. Long-term exposure may increase risks of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arrhythmias as well as neurological conditions such as cognitive impairments and dementia [3][4][5]. The objective of our study is to assess disease outcomes in individuals exposed to heavy metals or toxic chemical byproducts from LFP battery recycling or disposal.
Method
Our study deploys a cross-sectional observational design to assess three health outcomes: respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological outcomes.
Study population
The exposed group includes workers in lithium battery recycling plants or living within a 3 km radius of such facilities. The control group includes individuals who have no occupational exposure and live at least 10 km away from any battery recycling or disposal facility.
Inclusion criteria:
The study includes 18-60-year-old individuals with no previous history of chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, or neurological conditions before employment or residence in or near battery recycling facilities.
Exclusion criteria:
Individuals with chronic history of respiratory, cardiovascular, or neurological diseases are excluded.
Results
Health outcomes assessment for all three systems
We use spirometry to measure FEV1 and FVC for lung function, blood pressure and electrocardiograms for cardiovascular health, and cognitive tests for neurological status.
Data analysis
Baseline characteristics are summarized for descriptive statistics. Outcome differences across groups are compared using t-tests with multivariable regression for adjusted odds ratios.
Conclusion
Our study emphasizes the need for health surveillance for individuals in proximity to lithium battery recycling.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
© Journal of Asian Medical Students’ Association (JAMSA). Released under a Creative Commons license.
References
Zhao, Tianyu, et al. “A review on the recycling of spent lithium iron phosphate batteries.” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 351, Feb. 2024, p. 119670, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119670.
Larsson, Fredrik, et al. “Author correction: Toxic fluoride gas emissions from lithium-ion battery fires.” Scientific Reports, vol. 8, no. 1, 22 Mar. 2018, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-22957-8.
Sironval, Violaine, et al. “Respiratory hazard of li-ion battery components: Elective toxicity of lithium cobalt oxide (licoo2) particles in a mouse bioassay.” Archives of Toxicology, vol. 92, no. 5, 17 Mar. 2018, pp. 1673–1684, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-018-2188-x.
Deng, Yaotang, et al. “Associations of occupational exposure to micro-linicomno2 particles with systemic inflammation and cardiac dysfunction in cathode material production for lithium batteries.” Environmental Pollution, vol. 359, Oct. 2024, p. 124694, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124694.
Netto, Ivan, and Vivek H. Phutane. “Reversible lithium neurotoxicity.” The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders, 26 Jan. 2012, https://doi.org/10.4088/pcc.11r01197.