The ‘Clean’ Technology That’s Poisoning People

Overview

This episode delves into the hidden costs of lead battery recycling, a process touted as environmentally friendly but fraught with severe human and environmental consequences, particularly in Nigeria. Investigative journalist Peter S. Goodman uncovers the dangerous practices, health impacts, and systemic failures in the global supply chain that connects Nigerian smelters to U.S. car batteries.

Notable Quotes

- The verdict of the global marketplace on the question of what's it worth to poison entire villages in Nigeria is not that much. – Peter S. Goodman

- You don't need a PhD in environmental science to understand that it's not a good idea to have no safety goggles, no gloves, and no shirt while slamming a machete into an old battery with acid spewing everywhere. – Peter S. Goodman

- Was I too trusting? I'll take that shot. – Chris Pruitt, CEO of East Penn, on moral culpability in the supply chain.

🛢️ The Hidden Costs of Lead Recycling

- Lead batteries, essential for cars (including electric vehicles), are highly recyclable, but the process is often outsourced to countries with lax regulations.

- In Nigeria, smelters operate with minimal safety measures, exposing workers and nearby communities to toxic lead fumes and acid.

- Peter S. Goodman describes visiting Ogijo, Nigeria, where factories emit visible smoke, blacken walls, and contaminate local soil and water.

⚙️ Dangerous Practices in Nigerian Smelters

- Workers in breaking yards dismantle batteries with machetes, often shirtless and without protective gear, exposing themselves to acid and lead dust.

- Smelters lack emission controls, allowing toxic smoke to pollute surrounding villages, schools, and homes.

- Soil tests near these smelters revealed lead contamination levels 20 times higher than a U.S. federal emergency threshold.

📦 The Global Supply Chain and Accountability

- Companies like Trafigura act as middlemen, buying lead from Nigerian smelters and shipping it to U.S. manufacturers like East Penn.

- Investigations revealed weak due diligence processes, with audits often superficial and failing to address core issues like worker safety or environmental harm.

- East Penn's CEO, Chris Pruitt, admitted to being too trusting of suppliers and has since stopped sourcing lead from Nigeria.

🌍 Health and Environmental Fallout

- Blood tests in Nigerian villages showed 70% of participants had dangerous lead levels, causing irreversible brain damage, respiratory issues, and chronic illness.

- Despite initial government action to shut down smelters, enforcement remains weak, with only minor improvements like distributing gloves and goggles.

💰 The Cost of Ethical Reform

- Reforming the industry to meet safety and environmental standards would cost millions, but the added expense to consumers would be negligible—estimated at a few dollars per battery.

- However, systemic incentives favor cost-cutting, making meaningful reform unlikely without sustained pressure on companies and governments.