Scientists Trace Heavy Metals Spread by January's Huge Battery Fire Near Monterey | KQED

"Now we are using that fingerprint to trace how those metals are moving through the environment,"

"Where is the other 98%?"

"Some of it might have gone straight to the ocean, but some of it might have traveled elsewhere because those particles are very, very tiny."

"The safety of our employees, the environment, and the surrounding community remains our top priority,"

Researchers are using a fingerprint method to trace metals released by a battery plant fire through soils and waterways. Preliminary tests indicate metals have entered the estuary food chain. Measured heavy metals in nearby soil accounted for less than 2% of the metals contained in the burned batteries, leaving uncertainty about the remaining 98%, which may have gone to the ocean or dispersed as very fine particles. Nearby agricultural fields and threatened southern sea otters face contamination risk. The plant operator reported a separate study showing soil metals mostly within approved levels and pledged continued coordination with local officials. Findings suggest reconsidering siting and safeguards for battery storage to reduce contamination risk.

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