US EPA

1795398 

Journal Article 

Review 

Manufacturing process, resultant risk profiles and their control in the production of nickel-cadmium (alkaline) batteries 

Adams, RG 

1992 

1 

Occupational Medicine
ISSN: 0962-7480
EISSN: 1471-8405 

NIOSH/00210245 

42 

2 

101-106 

English 

1606303 

WOS:A1992JD31600010 

Health risks associated with the production of alkaline batteries were reviewed. Each of the production steps and its improvement through the years were discussed. The following were listed as the principle compounds used in production: nickel-sulfate (7786814), nickel-hydroxide (12054487), sulfuric-acid (7664939), cobalt (7440484), graphite (7782425), cadmium (7440439), cadmium-oxide (1306190), cadmium-hydroxide (21041952), and potassium-hydroxide (1310583). Of the related health risks, only renal effects in the form of proteinuria has been confirmed from one study to the next. Proteinuria was attributed to reduced absorption by the renal tubule with subsequent secretion of low molecular weight proteins of the alpha two, beta, and gamma globulin fractions. One study showed that between 1946 and 1976 the mean exposure of workers to cadmium in the air was reduced by nearly three orders of magnitude, from milligrams to micrograms per cubic meter. Other investigations showed that between 1968 and 1984, the mean concentration of cadmium in the urine of workers involved in platemaking dropped from about 45 to 9 micrograms per liter. The author concludes that due to the long half life of cadmium in the body, exposure levels must continue to be kept at a minimum. Each case of exposure should be considered individually, taking into account the worker's previous exposure, age, work hygiene, renal condition, and smoking status.