(Headline) Lithium salts could be declared health hazard in EU

(Excerpt) However, the entire concept could falter with the European Commission’s upcoming legislation. Namely, it is considering the proposal from the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, to declare key lithium salts hazardous for human health, Reuters reported. If lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide are classified as dangerous, it would complicate the import procedure, production and handling of the materials.

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee accepted the demand from France in September to classify lithium salts as damaging for fertility and unborn children and to declare the substances harmful for breastfed children.

Adding lithium salts to the list of materials hazardous for health may prompt the revision of a range of projects in the industry

Stricter rules mean higher costs, so any lithium ore processing plant project, like the one in the Jadar area in Serbia, would need to be given a second look with regard to its environmental impact and feasibility.

Albemarle, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has indicated it may be forced to close its plant in Langelsheim in north Germany if the plan is accepted. In that case, Chief Financial Officer Scott Tozier said, the company wouldn’t be able to import lithium chloride, its primary feedstock.

The unit’s annual revenue is USD 500 million and the plant has over 600 employees. Tozier warned a decision to declare lithium salts hazardous would prompt an exodus of EU producers including battery recyclers.

The decision is expected to be reached by early next year, the article adds.

https://balkangreenenergynews.com/lithium-salts-could-be-declared-health-hazard-in-eu/