We hear more and more often about electric carsand many are the car manufacturers that offer the purchase of increasingly new and modern models. This type of car does not emit exhaust gases and in fact it was created with the aim of reduce air pollution.
Unfortunately, however, a recent study published on Nature Communications reveals that the lithium-ion batteries found in most electric cars represent a serious threat to the planet. In fact, according to the study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin and Duke University, these appear to contain dangerous perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances called “Pfas“.
These substances, which allow batteries to be less flammable and also help to conduct electricity, are also referred to as “Forever chemicals” and then “eternal chemicals” precisely because they can accumulate in the environment very easily and quickly. But they remain there for thousands of years.
The discovery of scientists
According to the study mentioned above, scientists seem to have found high concentrations of PFAS in several samples of snow, water, air and soil near plants in France, Belgium and the United States. Plants engaged in the production of these substances.
What do PFAS do to humans? These chemicals appear to have the ability to cause conditions such as chronic kidney disease, high cholesterol, liver damage, and low birth weight. The researchers who conducted the study mentioned above were keen to point out that thePFAS pollution is a global problem.
This type of battery is in fact used all over the world. And in this regard it should be emphasized that traces of this dangerous substance have been detected, even if in low levels, also in Chinese and European waters.
There are therefore several reasons that worry the researchers of the study. Among these, for example, the increasing possibility of dispersion of Pfas in the environment due to the low reuse rate of lithium-ion batteries.
