[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    INTRODUCTION OF THE MERCURY-CONTAINING AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY 
                             MANAGEMENT ACT

                                 ______


                          HON. BILL RICHARDSON

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 1994

  Mr. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I have introduced legislation to 
enhance the recycling of rechargeable batteries and prohibit the 
manufacture of batteries containing mercury. This is significant 
environmental legislation which will provide real relief from the 
effects of mercury, lead and cadmium in landfills and incinerators. I 
am pleased to be joined in the introduction of this legislation today 
by Representatives Ron Coleman, Martin Frost, Nydia Velasquez, Vernon 
Ehlers, Craig Washington and Fred Upton.
  My legislation, the Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery 
Management Act, has two main purposes: First reduce the amount of 
mercury used in disposable batteries by phasing out its use, and Second 
to stimulate the recycling or proper disposal of lead- and cadmium-
containing rechargeable dry cell batteries by establishing uniform 
national labelling standards for such batteries and requiring 
appliances in which they are used to be labelled as containing easily 
removable recyclable batteries. The legislation also requires the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] to regularly 
report to Congress on the activities and successes of the new labelling 
and recycling program.
  This bill is identical to S. 1949, legislation introduced by Senator 
Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey in March of this year. I look forward to 
working with the Senator and his colleagues in the Senate to secure 
passive of this legislation at the earliest possible date.
  As many Members of this body are well aware of our recent discussions 
on Superfund, Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act 
reauthorization, toxic heavy metals are a pernicious problem in waste 
cleanup efforts. Unlike many organic toxic substances, toxic heavy 
metals like mercury, cadmium and lead found in common household 
batteries do not break down over time into less hazardous substances. 
In fact, these metals persist in the environment and can accumulate in 
the fatty tissues of animals which are then consumed by humans and 
passed up the food chain to cause serious health effects.
  The EPA has identified mercury, cadmium and lead as three of the 17 
high priority toxic chemicals on which that agency is focussing its 
pollution reduction efforts. Any reduction of their incidence in the 
environment will have a positive effect on public health, environmental 
remediation efforts and waste reduction activities.
  Lead is used in the electrodes of sealed lead rechargeable batteries. 
Cadmium is used in the electrodes rechargeable nickel-cadmium 
batteries. Mercury is contained in some battery casings. These metals 
pose no risks while the batteries are in use, but they can be a 
significant concern when the batteries which contain them are discarded 
into the Nation's solid waste stream.
  In 1992, Americans used approximately 4 billion dry cell batteries. 
Dry cell batteries only account for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of 
the 180 million tons of garbage generated each year, but they have 
significant sources of mercury, cadmium and lead contamination of the 
solid waste stream. Dry cell batters in landfills can break down over 
time, releasing their contents into the environment. The toxic 
compounds released from dry cell batteries break down and leach into 
soil and ground water. When burned in incinerators, dry cell batteries 
release their toxic components into the air.
  Mercury has been linked to decreased motor functions and muscle 
reflexes, memory loss, headaches, brain function disorders and nervous 
system and kidney damage. Lead has been shown to retard physical and 
mental development in children. In adults, elevated lead exposure has 
been linked to high blood pressure and kidney and central nervous 
system disorders . Cadmium can cause kidney and liver damage and the 
EPA has determined that exposure to high levels of cadmium can result 
in pulmonary edema and death. Even at low levels, chronic exposure can 
result in fibrosis of the lung and lung cancer.
  The recycling of rechargeable batteries containing cadmium and lead 
will divert millions of tons timebombs from solid waste landfills 
across the country to responsible, industry-led recycling programs 
currently being established voluntarily by battery and appliance 
manufactures and retailers.
  The Mercury-Containing and Rechargeable Battery Management Act has 
been endorsed by the Electronic Industries Association, the National 
Electrical Manufacturers Association and the Portable Rechargeable 
Battery Association. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
significant environmental protection legislation and in working towards 
its swift enactment into law.

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