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Originally Mercury was amalgamated with the zinc in carbon-zinc dry cell batteries because the zinc was contaminated with tiny iron granules. As the zinc corroded away in the electrochemical process of the battery producing electric current these iron granules would surface and become exposed to the electrolyte producing local shorted iron-zinc "batteries" that would cause the zinc to rapidly corrode through and the battery to leak electrolyte out its side through these holes. The mercury added to the zinc would envelope these iron granules, preventing them from contacting the electrolyte and thus greatly extending battery life.
When alkaline dry cell batteries replaced the original acid carbon-zinc dry cell batteries, as they were still using carbon and zinc electrodes mercury was still amalgamated with the zinc to extend battery life as the zinc was still contaminated with tiny iron granules.
However when it became a priority for dry cell companies to eliminate toxic materials like mercury from their batteries, the solution was to use more expensive high purity zinc with lower iron contamination levels so that less mercury would be needed. As the goal is to eventually completely eliminate all of the mercury, it will eventually be necessary for them to use zinc that is completely iron free.
An entirely different class of batteries, the mercuric oxide-zinc battery and the mercuric oxide-cadmium battery used mercuric oxide for one of the electrodes. Such batteries offered many advantages over carbon-zinc (both acid and alkaline versions) batteries and were widely used from 1942 until 1992 and were ultimately banned by 1996.
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Do batteries contain Mercury?
nope.
Is mecury in batteries?
Some batteries do contain mercury but only specialised ones.
What is the impact of batteries on the environment?
Batteries can contain some toxic metals as lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.
Why do batteries not contain mercury anymore?
Because mercury is widely beleived to be extremely poisonous and dangerous to the environment these days, and if batteries leaked, it would be too dangerous so governments have banned their use.
Why are batteries harmfull to the environment?
Batteries contain toxic materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and lithium. If disposed with the regular trash, these batteries can corrode and leak these hazardous compounds into the ground, contaminating the groundwater, once they are buried in the landfill.
Are the tiny batteries in computer circuit boards contain harmful battery acids?
In general, computer batteries contain toxic substances. The acid content is not the main concern, but rather the use of elements such as mercury, lead and cadmium that cause worry.
Why is it not a good idea to throw used batteries in trash?
if they get breached the chemicals in them will poison the environment
Do batteries contain silicon?
Electrical batteries don't contain silicon.
Why is not a good idea to throw used button batteries in the crash?
These batteries can contain silver oxide, mercury, lithium, or cadmium are considered hazardous. Despose of them by returning them to the original dealer or by taking them to a recycling center.
Do mercury lamps contain mercury?
yes, there is a coating in the lamp, which contain mercury
What is the main purpose for mercury?
batteries
Button batteries used in digital cameras are hazardous?
they contain silver oxide, mercury, lithium, or cadmium, they are hazardous. some people would like a yes or no answer!!
