More and more "forever chemical" pollution is coming from the most popular kind of EV battery, according to scientists.
Due to the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, scientists have discovered a serious environmental risk related with the increasing adoption of EVs and renewable energy technologies. Pollutant-free and persistent substances, or “forever chemicals,” are recognized for their ability to endure in both the environment and the human body for millennia. Due to their ability to impart qualities like increased electrical conductivity and fire resistance, these compounds are essential to some lithium-ion battery technologies, where they play crucial roles in improving battery safety and performance.
Recent research, published in Nature Communications, has highlighted elevated levels of PFAS in various environmental matrices—including air, water, snow, soil, and sediment—near manufacturing facilities in the US, Belgium, and France. These facilities produce PFAS chemicals that are utilized in the production of lithium-ion batteries, shedding light on a previously unrecognized source of environmental contamination linked to the clean energy transition.
Jennifer Guelfo, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Texas Tech University and co-author of the study, emphasizes the dual challenge faced by society in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through technologies like electric cars while simultaneously avoiding unintended environmental and health consequences such as increased PFAS pollution. PFAS have been associated with a myriad of health problems, including liver damage, high cholesterol, adverse reproductive outcomes, and chronic kidney disease, underscoring the urgency of addressing their environmental distribution and impact.
The specific class of PFAS identified in lithium-ion batteries is bis-perfluoroalkyl sulfonimides (bis-FASIs), which shares characteristics with older generations of PFAS, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). These chemicals are extremely persistent in the environment and have been shown to bioaccumulate in organisms, affecting ecosystems even at low concentrations. Despite regulatory actions that have phased out certain PFAS compounds like PFOA in the US, the environmental legacy of these chemicals persists, posing ongoing challenges to environmental and public health.
Lee Ferguson, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Duke University and co-author of the study, highlights the complexity of assessing the prevalence and environmental impact of bis-FASIs in lithium-ion batteries due to limited data availability and varying chemical compositions across different battery technologies. This lack of comprehensive understanding underscores the need for expanded research efforts and improved data transparency to inform effective regulatory policies and technological innovations.
Efforts to mitigate PFAS pollution associated with lithium-ion batteries must prioritize advancements in battery technology and recycling practices. Currently, a significant proportion of lithium-ion batteries—approximately 95%—are not recycled, leading to concerns about a looming surge in battery waste by 2040. Enhanced recycling processes not only reduce waste but also minimize the release of PFAS into the environment from decomposing batteries in landfills, where many end up after their useful life.
The study advocates for stringent regulatory measures and technological innovations aimed at reducing PFAS use in battery production and improving the sustainability of battery recycling practices. Proactive evaluation of chemicals used in sustainable energy infrastructure is essential to prevent future environmental and health crises associated with emerging technologies. This approach necessitates collaborative efforts among scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and policymakers to develop safer alternatives and sustainable practices that minimize the unintended consequences of clean energy technologies.
Companies involved in the production and patenting of bis-FASIs, such as 3M, Solvay, and Arkema, face increasing scrutiny and regulatory pressure as awareness grows regarding the environmental and health impacts of PFAS. Solvay, for instance, recently spun off its lithium battery business into a new entity named Syensqo, reflecting ongoing shifts in industry practices amid heightened environmental concerns.
The results emphasize how difficult it is to strike a compromise between mitigating possible dangers related to cleaner energy technologies’ production, usage, and disposal and attaining environmental advantages through the adoption of these technologies. Treating the unintended environmental effects, such as PFAS poisoning, becomes more important as global efforts to mitigate climate change through electrification and the use of renewable energy sources increase. Sustainable development and environmental stewardship in the transition to cleaner energy will demand effective solutions, which will call for a comprehensive approach integrating scientific research, strict regulatory control, and cooperative industrial initiatives.
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