[WARNING!] Many People Do not Know the Dangers Dispose Used Batteries!!

What do you do with used batteries? Almost all will answer, throw it into the trash. Used batteries are hazardous waste so they should not be carelessly discarded.All types of used batteries such as batteries in the remote, toys, watches, cell phones, digital cameras and batteries that can be charged (rechargeable) B3 waste (Hazardous Material) When carelessly discarded or recycled, the content of heavy metals and other hazardous substances contained in batteries can contaminate water and soil, which ultimately harm the human body.Environmental expert Dr R Budi Haryanto claimed natural that many people who do not know how to safely dispose of used batteries. Because it is so far also not been no socialization how to treat other types of waste.According to him, it is very difficult to make people aware of how to dispose of hazardous waste if the government did not give examples."Almost all people are not aware because they do not know the dangers, so dispose of used batteries in just like that," said Dr R Budi Haryanto as Chairman of the Faculty of Public Health Department of Environmental HealthDr. Budi said one key is to socialize about this issue to the people that used batteries are dangerous and must be addressed more comprehensively. If not socialized then people will not know and do not manage the waste properly.Why used batteries should not be thrown away carelessly?Batteries contain various heavy metals such as mercury, manganese, lead, nickel, lithium and cadmium.If the battery is carelessly discarded the heavy metals contained in them will pollute groundwater and endanger the health of the population.Dr. Budi revealed that heavy metal contaminated water is used by people can cause chronic diseases that will cause interference in the central nervous system, kidneys, reproductive system, and even cancer."The effect is long term. And usually the new society would be more concerned if it appears that the effect in the near term," said the lecturer who was born in Malang FKM 51 years ago.How to manage waste used batteries?Used batteries should waste is managed specifically and separately from other waste.Existing technology is B3 waste will be dumped in the soil that already contains other chemicals to be neutralized and destroyed so as not to pollute the environment."To overcome the B3 waste everyone should aware in advance, either from the public, waste management and also because of the government's complex problems. Usually only people who truly aware of who did this," he said.What are the dangers of used batteries?Waste batteries not only cause pollution but also endanger the natural resources it contains heavy metals and corrosive electrolyte into the battery power source, such as lead, mercury, nickel, cadmium, lithium, silver, zinc and manganeseUnder the action of microorganisms, inorganic mercury can be transformed into methylmercury, fish congregate in the body which is then consumed by humans. Methylmercury can enter brain cells and have serious consequences such as damage to the nervous system that can make people go crazy or even cause death.While cadmium batteries can contaminate soil and water, which eventually enter the human body causing liver and kidney damage, can also lead to soft bones or severe bone defects.In addition, cadmium can cause chronic poisoning and a factor causing emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that involves damage to the air sacs in the lungs), osteomalacia (softening of the bones), anemia (lack of blood), also making paralysis in the human body.Excretion of lead is also the most difficult in the human body and can impair kidney function and reproductive function.If the battery waste mixed with other solid wastes, from time to time malicious content in it can contaminate water and soil, which then threatens the life of the fish, plants, environmental destruction and indirectly threaten human health.Why hard familiarize citizens with the right to dispose of waste batteries?According to Dr. Budi hard to familiarize the safe disposal of waste batteries because it requires great effort. There should be a special facility which houses and people who do it.For example, if collected per RT, then who will be sent to his B3 waste processing center. This condition is related to how far away and how much it costs to be incurred.However Dr Budi said there are several things you can do to lessen the adverse effects of sewage pollution of used batteries are:1. Society should be disseminated in advance about the dangers of B3 waste to health 
2. Begin to separate hazardous waste such as used batteries at home by placing it in a special plastics and other waste separately 
3. Collect all hazardous waste materials in certain places, for example in each of the RW there is a special place to accommodate temporary hazardous waste 
4. When it comes to waste management should take them also already have the awareness to not mix hazardous waste with other waste
 5. After that the B3 waste will be sent to the B3 waste management has met staganr.Therefore, the socialization of the dangers of B3 is very important to make people aware not to dump waste indiscriminately used batteries so it does not pollute the environment that can adversely affect health.