Final answer:
Disposing batteries like lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or mercury in landfills poses environmental and health risks due to the toxic metals they contain, which can leach into the ground and water. Recycling these batteries is essential to reduce health hazards and mitigate environmental pollution. This issue is exacerbated by the fast-growing e-waste problem.
Step-by-step explanation:
Disposing of lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, or mercury batteries in a landfill is harmful due to the toxic heavy metals they contain such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. These substances can leach into the soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources and damaging ecosystems. Lead-acid batteries, in particular, contain a significant amount of lead, and cadmium is a known toxic metal; both can pose serious health and environmental risks. Disposal in landfills also contradicts the substantial economic and environmental advantages of recycling rechargeable batteries, which reduces manufacturing and disposal costs while mitigating the environmental impact.
The risks presented by improperly disposed batteries include increased groundwater contamination and air pollution if incinerated. These batteries should therefore be recycled in accordance with government safety guidelines to avoid environmental pollution and health hazards. The growing issue of e-waste shows how critical proper disposal and recycling are to our environment, especially considering the toxicity and longevity of the materials involved. Moreover, e-waste is the fastest growing segment of garbage production globally, accentuating the need for responsible disposal practices.