The major use of lead is in energy storage batteries (78 per cent of reported global consumption in 2003). A growing proportion of refined cadmium consumption (81 per cent of the total in 2004) is accounted for by NiCd batteries 1.
Inefficient production and recycling operations release considerable amounts of lead and cadmium with both environment and human health impacts.
UNEP, in cooperation with partners, would like to promoting the environmentally sound management throughout the life-cycle of lead and cadmium batteries in ways that lead to minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment. UNEP is seeking to engage with potential partners to develop the technical and financial consortia needed to address this problem and deliver impacts on the ground.
1Source: UNEP's reviews of scientific information on lead and cadmium