More than one million tonnes of lead slag have accumulated across Sri Lanka, mainly in the Puttalam District, while an estimated 5,000 metric tonnes of sulphuric acid from used lead-acid batteries are discharged into the ground annually, according to Sudesh Nandasiri, Chairman of Ceylon Waste Management (Pvt) Ltd.
The figures raise serious concerns about hazardous waste management, environmental pollution and the potential risks to workers and surrounding communities.
Old car batteries, discarded televisions and electronic waste may appear harmless once thrown away. However, they can contain toxic substances that threaten human health when dismantled or recycled without proper safeguards. As the world marked International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action from October 18 to 24, environmental experts called for stronger regulations, safer recycling practices and greater public awareness. Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this year’s campaign carried the theme ‘From Detection to Prevention’.
Nandasiri said more than one million tonnes of lead slag had accumulated in Sri Lanka, mainly in the Puttalam District. Lead slag is the solid residue left after processing lead-containing materials and may contain lead and other heavy metals.
He also cited a survey estimating that more than 2,000 unregulated recycling sites operate across the country. These figures, presented during a webinar, require independent verification to establish the full extent of the problem. Poorly managed lead slag can contaminate soil and water, depending on its composition and exposure to environmental conditions. Rainwater may carry contaminants from inadequately secured waste deposits into surrounding areas, creating risks that can persist long after recycling operations cease.
Battery acid disposal raises concerns
Another major concern raised by Nandasiri was the disposal of sulphuric acid from used lead-acid batteries.
He said secondary research conducted by his organisation estimated that more than 5,000 metric tonnes of battery acid were discharged into the ground annually.
According to Nandasiri, battery suppliers commonly drain the acid before sending used batteries to smelting facilities because those facilities do not accept the electrolyte.
He said tests on battery electrolytes had identified considerable quantities of cadmium and arsenic, in addition to lead.
Improper disposal of battery acid can damage soil and threaten water quality. Nandasiri argued that the acid should be collected and treated rather than released into the environment.
Ceylon Waste Management has explored filtering and reusing battery acid in its refining processes. However, he said other recyclers had not engaged with the proposal.
The allegations highlight the need for independently verified data on battery acid generation, disposal methods and possible environmental contamination.
Alka Dubey, Programme Coordinator at Toxics Link India, said lead exposure could occur through inhalation, ingestion and the transfer of contaminated materials from workplaces to homes.
Workers dismantling batteries or smelting lead-containing materials may inhale contaminated dust and fumes, particularly where protective equipment and pollution-control systems are inadequate.
Lead dust can settle on clothing, shoes, skin and hair, allowing workers to carry contaminants home and expose their families. Children are particularly vulnerable because they may ingest contaminated dust or soil through normal hand-to-mouth behaviour. Lead exposure can damage children’s brain development, affect learning and behaviour, and harm the developing foetus during pregnancy. In adults, it can damage the kidneys and cardiovascular system and affect blood formation and reproductive health.
The WHO states that no level of lead exposure is known to be without harmful effects. Exposure may occur without obvious symptoms, making prevention and appropriate testing essential.
Concerns over lead in paint and plastics
Hemanta Withanage, Chairman of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), said Sri Lanka had faced concerns about lead and other heavy metals for decades.
He recalled testing conducted in 2009 with support from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), which found lead concentrations of up to 135,000 parts per million in some paint samples.
Following legal action in 2011, authorities agreed to introduce lead limits for paint from 2013. These included 90 parts per million for emulsion wall paint and 600 parts per million for other oil-based paints. However, Withanage said concerns remained about lead in certain paints, particularly industrial and oil-based products such as lacquer.
He also said recent plastic tests had identified hazardous chemicals, including lead and chromium, although the findings had not been released at the time of the webinar.
These concerns highlight the importance of monitoring products entering the market and ensuring existing standards are consistently enforced.
Dubey said informal collectors remained popular in South Asia because they offered convenient collection services and immediate cash payments. Consequently, used batteries and electronic waste could enter informal recycling networks rather than authorised facilities.
Nandasiri called on environmental authorities to pay greater attention to the management of battery acid, lead slag and other hazardous residues when issuing or renewing Environmental Protection Licences. He said operators should be required to explain how hazardous waste is collected, treated and disposed of. Informal or unregulated smelting should be stopped, while authorised facilities should have systems to capture and treat dangerous fumes.
Stronger inspections, transparent records and accountability throughout the recycling chain are essential. Authorities must also identify contaminated sites, assess their risks and ensure hazardous waste remains safely managed after businesses close.
Recycling must protect people and the environment
Lead-acid batteries contain valuable materials that can be recovered and reused. Dubey said up to 99 per cent of the lead in these batteries could be recovered through proper recycling. Electronic waste also contains recoverable metals, including copper, gold, silver and nickel. Safe recycling can reduce the need to extract new raw materials.
However, recovering valuable materials is only part of the process. Battery acid, contaminated dust, smelting fumes and solid residues must also be managed safely.
Dubey called for convenient collection systems, worker training, protective equipment, exposure monitoring and regular health checks. She also stressed the importance of tracking waste from collection to final recovery and disposal.
Nandasiri said Sri Lanka already had a digital extended producer responsibility platform that could help monitor lead-acid batteries throughout their life cycle, from importers and sellers to consumers and recyclers. Effective use of such systems could improve accountability and help authorities establish how batteries and their hazardous components are handled.
wickrama Thursday, 29 October 2026 03:35 AM
Not a difficult problem to fix. Do not sell Lead~acid batteries any more. Opt out for sealed batteries/VRLAs. Add a recycling levy to be refunded upon return of the used. For dry cell (torch batteries) similar could be implemented. Prosecute the mechanics and car owners who break the seals of sealed batteries heavily.
Mohan Thursday, 29 October 2026 09:50 AM
Not a difficult problem to fix. But, action should be taken ASAP rather than just talking about it. Also, recycling lead and other metals will save money and the environment. We can return the recycled lead to the battery manufacturers. The standards of health and safety of workers at recycling plants should be strictly regulated and monitored by the government.
Mohan Thursday, 29 October 2026 09:56 AM
We can also consider using sodium ion batteries instead of lead acid batteries. They do't have any heavy metals. Have much higher cycle numbers (2000 - 4000), compared to lead acid (300 - 500), higher energy density, etc.
wickrama Saturday, 31 October 2026 09:31 PM
All in the Economics: The LFP Cost Paradox: Because lithium-ion and LFP battery prices dropped significantly due to massive global manufacturing scales, sodium batteries have lost their expected price advantage and often cost more per kilowatt-hour than cheap LFP alternatives. Size and Weight Penalties: Larger sodium ions do not fit as efficiently into traditional electrode materials like graphite, requiring alternative materials like hard carbon and heavier system-level packaging.
M Fernando Thursday, 29 October 2026 08:40 PM
In Sri Lanka, the old-school, locally-produced hard-rubber variety was very much more recyclable than the modern sealed batteries. But thanks to our "lets import everything" philosophy, this is no more and we are suffering the consequences.
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