The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken legal action against the Battery Recycling Company, Inc. requiring the company to take multiple actions to reduce the pollution of air and water from lead at its Arecibo, Puerto Rico facility.
EPA’s ongoing investigation of the facility found potential violations of the federal Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The Battery Recycling Company, a secondary lead smelter, recycles used motor vehicle batteries and produces approximately 60 tons of lead per day.
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause damage to a child’s ability to learn and a range of health damage in adults. Lead exposure can have serious, long-term health consequences in adults and children. Even at low levels, lead in children can cause I.Q. deficiencies, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention spans, hyperactivity and other behavior problems. Lead exposure can also cause health problems in pregnant women and harm fetuses.
