United States Should Stop Exporting Lead Batteries to Mexico for Recycling, Says Report

U.S. companies should stop exports of used lead batteries to Mexico because it is contributing to lead poisoning near recycling facilities there, according to the co-author of a new report.

Perry Gottesfeld, executive director of the environmental organization Occupational Knowledge International (OK International), co-authored an investigation that found American exports of used batteries to Mexico more than doubled last year following the adoption of new lead air standards in the United States, according to an OK International news release.

He urged private companies and government agencies to voluntarily halt lead battery exports to Mexico and any other country with environmental and occupational standards that are inferior to U.S. laws governing battery recycling operations.

"Our investigation revealed that used car batteries from the U.S. are contributing to higher lead emissions in Mexico due to shoddy recycling practices," he said. "There are blatant deficiencies in regulations and environmental protections in the Mexican recycling industry compared to U.S. standards."