According to EPA:
EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and Office of Research and
Development (ORD) are pleased to announce that the draft final report for the
life-cycle assessment (LCA) conducted by the Design for the Environment
(DfE)/ORD Li-ion Batteries and Nanotechnology Partnership has been posted on
EPA’s DfE Program web site for a 60-day public comment period, at http://epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/lbnp/index.htm.
The LCA results for advanced batteries used in
plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to help promote the
responsible development of these emerging energy systems, including
nanotechnology innovations, leading to reduced overall environmental impacts and
the reduced use and release of more toxic materials. The LCA study identified
key materials and processes within the batteries’ life cycles that are likely to
pose the greatest environmental impacts, including occupational and public
toxicity impacts, which will help the Li-ion battery industry to identify
environmentally sound process, material, and design choices. The partnership
included battery manufacturers, suppliers, and recyclers, as well as
representatives from academia, trade and research institutions, and the
Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory.
