Reuters reported an interesting piece of news this week. Albermarle, one of the biggest producers of lithium globally, warned that it may have to close a lithium processing plant in Germany. Why would it have to close a plant one might wonder, when lithium is in such high demand? Well, it appears that the gods wish to destroy the EU.
You have a talent for picking up these small, seemingly irrelevant news and connecting them to the big picture.
What I find interesting in the first one, about banning lithium, is that 2 out of 3 compounds are used as medicine. The 3rd is a component in lithium grease. Why would anyone, literally anyone, conclude from this that these compounds are dangerous to humans?
But if the ECHA continues like this, the EU will soon be banning all kinds of materials needed for batteries, solar panels, magnets and electronics - since all of them contain toxic components.
The more likely outcome is that someone somewhere high-up will just quietly file away this proposal. Because if ICE cars are to be banned from 2035, we'd need a LOT of lithium batteries.
Lithium carbonate is the starting material for the production of lithium salts. It is used in the
manufacture of aluminium and as a flux in the glass, enamel and ceramic industries, and in
the construction industry. Lithium chloride is used to absorb moisture in air conditioning systems and in batteries and in welding and brazing fluxes in the production of lightweight alloys. Lithium hydroxide (monohydrate) is used in alkaline storage batteries and for manufacturing of lithium soaps. Lithium hydroxide (anhydrous) is used as an additive to potassium hydroxide in big industrial batteries and in the production of lithium stearate. Lithium is also used as a pharmaceutical in psychiatric medication. The substances have no existing entry in Annex VI to CLP.
RAC agreed to the proposal by France to classify lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide as substances that may damage fertility and the unborn child (Repr. 1A, H360FD). In addition, RAC agreed that these substances may cause harm to breast-fed children (Lact.; H362).
Most medicines contain toxic components, which makes the whole story all the more insane. You've summarised the rest perfectly. It's a circus of the absurd.
The precautionary principle is law in the EU. So somebody just needs to think that something could cause harm for them to ban it.
They routinely ban stuff that has been in use for years and we have to scramble in Pharma to find replacements for medicinal product materials that are already heavily regulated by the EU... and then we have to do studies for years to show that the new thing is acceptable for the EU... Rinse. Repeat.
Should we let the EU know that solar panels have toxic things in them just to make this more ridiculous?
Well, there's no need since solar panels are not going to be manufactured in the EU any more. It's too expensive, too toxic, let China do that. Until someone realizes that China powers the factories with coal and slave labour
Often complex regulations are enacted as barriers to prevent startups or SME's from being able to compete against the giant multi-nationals that spend $billions in lobbying politicians, bureaucrats and the media. The big multi-nationals have armies of lawyers and can handle the regulatory nightmares that the EU is famous for. Not so for startups or SMEs. So consumers figuring the regulations are there to protect them from environmental harm are really quite gullible.
:D I've actually set my sights on the foot of the actual Balkan mountain but now that you mention it I have a friend who's a veterinary technician and she loves horses, so there's definitely a business opportunity there! Don't know what we'll do about those methane emissions, though, that's a big problem, I hear.
Lithium metal combusts spontaneously in air so you don't expose it to air. Lithium salts are probably fatal if ingested. So you don't eat them. It's all to do with how they handled. Most things can be fatal if not handled correctly - even water !
I re-call the EU banning mercury barometers along similar lines. I'd like to know how many people discard them irresponsibly or drink or breathe the contents. Too much time on their hands.
Incredible. Mass delusional “thinking.”
This is what subpar education does to people, sadly.
Anyone willing to bet that they use Lithium grease in windmills?
This sounds like a joke but it probably isn't. I know in so e places they use oil-derived lubricants in windmills, which is also highly ironic.
On a side note, here on a little island near Seattle we’re still running the heat an hour in the morning to get the house up to 65 F.
The wastefulness. Have you tried turning your thermostat down by 2 degrees to save energy? 😌
You have a talent for picking up these small, seemingly irrelevant news and connecting them to the big picture.
What I find interesting in the first one, about banning lithium, is that 2 out of 3 compounds are used as medicine. The 3rd is a component in lithium grease. Why would anyone, literally anyone, conclude from this that these compounds are dangerous to humans?
But if the ECHA continues like this, the EU will soon be banning all kinds of materials needed for batteries, solar panels, magnets and electronics - since all of them contain toxic components.
The more likely outcome is that someone somewhere high-up will just quietly file away this proposal. Because if ICE cars are to be banned from 2035, we'd need a LOT of lithium batteries.
By they way, the original assessment from ECHA. RAC is the risk assessment committee.
[1] Lithium carbonate; [2] lithium chloride; [3] lithium hydroxide (EC [1] 209-062-5;
[2] 231-212-3; [3] 215-183-4; CAS: [1] 554-13-2; [2] 7447-41-8; [3] 1310-65-)
Lithium carbonate is the starting material for the production of lithium salts. It is used in the
manufacture of aluminium and as a flux in the glass, enamel and ceramic industries, and in
the construction industry. Lithium chloride is used to absorb moisture in air conditioning systems and in batteries and in welding and brazing fluxes in the production of lightweight alloys. Lithium hydroxide (monohydrate) is used in alkaline storage batteries and for manufacturing of lithium soaps. Lithium hydroxide (anhydrous) is used as an additive to potassium hydroxide in big industrial batteries and in the production of lithium stearate. Lithium is also used as a pharmaceutical in psychiatric medication. The substances have no existing entry in Annex VI to CLP.
RAC agreed to the proposal by France to classify lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide as substances that may damage fertility and the unborn child (Repr. 1A, H360FD). In addition, RAC agreed that these substances may cause harm to breast-fed children (Lact.; H362).
From: https://echa.europa.eu/-/highlights-from-september-rac-and-seac-meetings
Most medicines contain toxic components, which makes the whole story all the more insane. You've summarised the rest perfectly. It's a circus of the absurd.
The precautionary principle is law in the EU. So somebody just needs to think that something could cause harm for them to ban it.
They routinely ban stuff that has been in use for years and we have to scramble in Pharma to find replacements for medicinal product materials that are already heavily regulated by the EU... and then we have to do studies for years to show that the new thing is acceptable for the EU... Rinse. Repeat.
Should we let the EU know that solar panels have toxic things in them just to make this more ridiculous?
Let's do that!
Well, there's no need since solar panels are not going to be manufactured in the EU any more. It's too expensive, too toxic, let China do that. Until someone realizes that China powers the factories with coal and slave labour
Yes, but with REACH legislation you can’t even import things that were made with banned chemicals... trust me, it is a fantastic mess.
We've got to give them credit for putting so much effort into making this mess. Such messes don't just happen, you know.
Often complex regulations are enacted as barriers to prevent startups or SME's from being able to compete against the giant multi-nationals that spend $billions in lobbying politicians, bureaucrats and the media. The big multi-nationals have armies of lawyers and can handle the regulatory nightmares that the EU is famous for. Not so for startups or SMEs. So consumers figuring the regulations are there to protect them from environmental harm are really quite gullible.
Well done.
so? are you buying a piece of land in the Pirin slopes and setting up a proxy LLC for your readers to invest in that horse farm or what? ;) ;) ;)
:D I've actually set my sights on the foot of the actual Balkan mountain but now that you mention it I have a friend who's a veterinary technician and she loves horses, so there's definitely a business opportunity there! Don't know what we'll do about those methane emissions, though, that's a big problem, I hear.
indeed! no win scenerio!
"Don't know what we'll do about those methane emissions"
Hire twelve-year-old boys to flare them off. I hear they like to light farts...
I'm certain that once lithium processing is moved to China where it belongs and climate change warms the EU we will feel fine.
What's the saying; "You can't make this stuff up!" . Thanks again, great read...though scary.
Thank you! Yes, it does read a bit like a horror story. If only it was.
Lithium metal combusts spontaneously in air so you don't expose it to air. Lithium salts are probably fatal if ingested. So you don't eat them. It's all to do with how they handled. Most things can be fatal if not handled correctly - even water !
I re-call the EU banning mercury barometers along similar lines. I'd like to know how many people discard them irresponsibly or drink or breathe the contents. Too much time on their hands.
Good point. I still have a mercury thermometer. They are invariably accurate and don't break down after a couple of years.
Similar to the situation with Round-up (Glycophospate). Not actually carcinogenic, but you can get an obscure UN agency to say it is: https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2017/11/europe-still-burns-witches-if-theyre-named-monsanto/