On October 15, 2024, during the “Charging Forward: Reducing Toxic Materials in Batteries for a Just Energy Transition” webinar, panelists discussed the need for data transparency on toxic chemicals in batteries, innovation to reduce the battery industry’s chemical footprint, and the creation of safer alternatives to ensure worker and community health and safety.
Sheila Davis discussed the significant gaps that remain in knowing and understanding the impacts of these materials on human health and the environment. Access to this data is crucial for identifying potential exposures to toxic chemicals, making informed purchasing decisions, protecting workplace safety, creating and enforcing effective regulations, and developing safer substances.
“We need to advocate for the idea that non-fossil energy is not clean if it means poisoning workers and communities.” — Eve Gartner, EarthJustice
Eve Gartner then focused on the federal right to know and highlighted available tools for understanding and gaining access to environmental data. Data monitoring coupled with continued pressure from communities has proven to be effective in setting stricter safety standards. Community groups and organizations can take advantage of rulemaking processes to require companies to develop and disclose data on the use and impacts of toxic chemicals and to advocate for stronger restrictions.
Dr. Mark Rossi followed with a presentation on the Chemical Footprint Index, a framework for assessing companies’ chemical safety practices. He described the four pillars guiding the Chemical Footprint Index:
- Management strategy
- Chemical inventory
- Footprint measurement
- Disclosure and verification
This index could be adapted to the battery sector to push companies beyond mere regulatory compliance and foster competition among manufacturers to achieve higher safety standards.
Dr. Krishna Rajan closed with an explanation of how AI can accelerate the discovery and development of safer materials. By organizing and analyzing large complex data sets on the myriad of chemical interactions that go into producing a battery, AI can allow scientists to estimate hazards in an accelerated manner and discover new molecules and structures that can entrap toxic gasses and elements. Through stronger data transparency, stricter regulatory measures, battery chemical footprint measurements, and the use of AI, we can minimize and prevent many of the harms that are incurred throughout a battery’s life cycle.
Check out the recording here.
