Alkaline vs Lithium Consumable Batteries

Batteries are considered as vital illuminated disposable medical devices. Batteries are used in many devices in hospitals, including pagers, EKG monitors, pumps, hearing aids, and equipment such as the ER-SPEC/Office SPEC Single-Use Lighted Vaginal Speculum. While purchasing the battery one should know the knowledge of types of batteries that support the smooth successful procedure to avoid lighting issues. Being a human we should also consider the post-battery usage and dumping that can cause environmental issues.

Types of Batteries

Based on the usage of batteries in the medical profession there are two leading types: alkaline and lithium. Both types have significant benefits and characteristics that should be considered. Let’s look at the two battery types and examine their features:

1. Alkaline Batteries
   
   

The alkaline battery is a dry cell battery with a zinc anode (the positive charge) and the cathode (the negative charge) wrapped in a steel case filled with zinc. These are most commonly used in the world. According to the stat of 2016, it was the biggest selling battery and covered 66.3 percent of sales among the top 10 selling brands.

Alkaline batteries are available in various sizes and used for different purposes including AAA, AA, and C that are used in toys and other electronic devices. Button cell batteries available in different sizes are often used in medical devices such as hearing aids.

2. Lithium Batteries

These Lithium batteries are rechargeable and often used in electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops because they can be recharged and used several times. These are made up of lithium and carbon and available in different sizes and varieties such as AAA, AA, C, button cell, etc.

Comparative analysis of Alkaline vs. Lithium Batteries

Alkaline

1. Alkaline batteries have no heavy metals that can pollute the soil and groundwater. Moreover, there is no risk of explosion in landfills.
2. Alkaline batteries are less expensive than lithium batteries.
3. Alkaline batteries can give a high consistent level of energy.
4. Alkaline batteries follow the U.S. and EU battery environmental standards and are well-thought-out non-toxic by the Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Alkaline batteries are not well-thought-out perilous waste and as such are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
6. Alkaline batteries are only banned by California from landfills.

Lithium

1. Lithium batteries have a lifespan of approximately two or three years regardless of use.
2. These are more expensive than alkaline.
3. At exposure to high temperatures, they will degrade faster than normal.
4. Lithium batteries can burst into flames. In order to avoid an explosion, it should be fully discharged before disposing of it.
5. If it is destroyed by burning, they can pollute the air by releasing metals into the air that can cause nausea, abdominal pain, liver and kidney damage, skin rashes, headaches, and asthma.
6. Lithium batteries can pollute the land by releasing harmful chemicals into the soil if deposited in a landfill.
7. Legal requirements concerning the throwing away vary by state.