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Negative Effects of a Dry Cell Battery

Dry cell batteries are made up of two metals and an acidic compound, called an electrolyte. Unlike in a wet cell battery, where the acidic compound is liquid, in a dry cell battery, it's a powder, gel or paste. Dry cells are the common batteries used in remote controls, watches and other household items, given the designations of A, AA, AAA, C, D, etc. However, these little batteries can cause large problems if they aren't handled properly.

  1. Swallowing

    • A dry cell battery is extremely dangerous when swallowed, whether or not it possesses an electric charge at the time. The electrolyte compound is powerfully acidic, and the metals that make up the alternating layers of the battery are also dangerous to have in the human body. Some of the symptoms that suggest a dry cell battery has been swallowed include: muscle cramps, trouble walking, decreased mental activity, slurred speech, spasticity, tremors and swelling in the lower legs, among others.

    Inhaling

    • Although not as dangerous as out-and-out swallowing a dry cell battery, inhaling the vapors that come from them is still dangerous. If dry cell batteries are opened up, they usually release dust, and, if they're set on fire, they release vapors into the air. Both of these things are dangerous if breathed in. Some of the symptoms of inhalation include: muscle cramps, numbness and tingling of the fingers, itching skin, headache, pneumonia, difficulty sleeping, decreased mental ability and slurred speech.

    Environmental Poisoning

    • The contents of dry cell batteries are equally dangerous to the environment. Animals might mistake the batteries for food and swallow them, getting poisoned by the dry cell batteries. If the batteries are cracked open, their contents can leach into the soil, which causes problems for the local flora of the area. The acidic compound, especially, can kill plants, which may try to absorb it. Lastly, dry cell batteries can contaminate ground water, which makes any water pumped from the region of their dumping unsafe for anyone to drink.

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