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25 July 2003: We might all be driving on lead-free petrol now, but two environmental groups say the car industry is the biggest culprit in polluting land, water and air with lead.

The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center and New York-based Environmental Defense say the North American auto industry is responsible for releasing more than 300 million pounds of lead into the environment each year.

Contamination comes from mining and manufacturing, as well as through the disposal and recycling of lead-acid batteries

Lead is used in batteries and wheel weights and solder in electronics.

Lead can cause brain damage, learning problems and other disorders, particularly in children. Alternatives to lead include nickel-metal hydride batteries and tin or steel wheel weights.

Howver, aotomakers point out that 95 percent of lead batteries in cars are recycled.

	July 2003 - Trish Whelan
Carmakers 'biggest lead polluters' 25 July 2003: We might all be driving on lead-free petrol now, but two environmental groups say the car industry is the biggest culprit in polluting land, water and air with lead. The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center and New York-based Environmental Defense say the North American auto industry is responsible for releasing more than 300 million pounds of lead into the environment each year. Contamination comes from mining and manufacturing, as well as through the disposal and recycling of lead-acid batteries Lead is used in batteries and wheel weights and solder in electronics. Lead can cause brain damage, learning problems and other disorders, particularly in children. Alternatives to lead include nickel-metal hydride batteries and tin or steel wheel weights. Howver, aotomakers point out that 95 percent of lead batteries in cars are recycled.
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