Poisoning from ingesting batteries accounts for 4,000 cases a year according to studies by the European Commission. The Italian Institute of Technology has invented a fully edible rechargeable battery to avoid this problem.
Poisoning from ingesting batteries is very dangerous, especially for children, and can cause a number of serious health problems, including burns in the esophagus, ulcers and, in severe cases, even death. This problem could have come to an end thanks to the Italian Institute of Technology, which has invented a totally edible battery to avoid poisoning.
Children explore the world by putting objects in their mouths, especially up to 2 or 3 years of age, which increases the likelihood that foreign bodies will be swallowed. Toxic and chemical substances have toxic effects that can cause severe poisoning.
According to the European Commission, each year in Europe there are about 4,000 cases of accidental ingestion of batteries and derived chemicals. In the United States, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported more than 3,500 cases of battery ingestion in 2018.
The main precautionary measures to prevent battery ingestion include keeping batteries out of the reach of children, disposing of batteries properly, and not allowing children to play with them. With the new Italian invention it would not be necessary. But, are these batteries really safe?
This new battery consists of healthy, natural and fully edible materials, so that its intake by anyone does not pose a health problem, quite the contrary. While traditional battery manufacturers take measures such as using bitter coatings, with this new invention, it is no longer necessary.
A battery made up of vitamin B2
This new edible battery uses riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2) and quercetin, a compound commonly found in capers. To amplify electrical conductivity, a water-based electrolyte is applied, while nori seaweed acts as a short-circuit prevention separator.
electrodes cutlery made of food grade beeswax and gold foil they are also part of the design. The battery is capable of producing 0.65 volts, which the human body can handle, and is also rechargeable.
Medical uses and safety measures
In addition, due to its special characteristics, edible batteries could be very useful in the future for medical devices They must pass through the digestive system. At the moment, Although wireless capsule endoscopy cameras are capable of visualizing the digestive tract, none of them have a power source that can adequately power them.
With this technology, you could obtain more precise and detailed images of the digestive tract, which would allow a better understanding of various diseases and disorders that affect human organs. Besides, batteries are getting cheaper and these materials could further lighten your costs.
What to do if a child eats a stack?
Accidents can happen and there are unpredictable situations where a child may end up eating a stack, whether out of curiosity, play or hunger. Therefore, it is important to know what to do in such a situation to minimize the risks to the child’s health.
Firstly, substance information is vital, so knowing what type of battery or if you have swallowed it or is stuck in your throat is critical. In the event of any suspicion, whether they are serious or mild symptoms, the hospital should be called immediately. to assess the hazards of ingested chemicals.
If you think the child has eaten a pile, The first thing to do is call the doctor or go to the hospital closest. The doctor will examine the child and, depending on the type of battery or how long it has been since ingesting it, may decide to take x-rays to determine the location of the battery.
When a child swallows a battery, most dangerously, it can cause chemical or electrical injury to the throat, esophagus, and other parts of the digestive tract. Batteries are usually made up of two parts with different chemical compositions, and when they come into contact with saliva or stomach acid, a small electrical current is generated.
This can cause a chemical reaction in which electrolytes from the battery and stomach acid react producing potentially harmful substances.
In case of poisoning, due to the presence of toxic or chemical substances that the presence of the battery can cause, the doctor may also prescribe medication or perform additional tests to assess the extent of the damage caused by it.
Preventing accidents with batteries is the best option
The best way to protect children from the dangers of eating a battery is to prevent these types of accidents. It is important keep batteries away from children and store locked up or out of reach.
It is also relevant educate and inform children about the dangers of eating batteries or any type of foreign object.
