{"id":2216,"date":"2021-09-07T08:21:10","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T08:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/?p=2216"},"modified":"2022-08-02T05:36:57","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T05:36:57","slug":"watch-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/watch-batteries\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Watch Batteries Contain Mercury or Lithium?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"boldgrid-section\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-md-12 col-xs-12 col-sm-12\">\n<p class=\"\">Prefer to listen to us read this article? Click below. Remember to consult a doctor about all issues related to health in this article!&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container \" style=\"height: 100%;\"><iframe title=\"Do Watch Batteries Contain Mercury Or Lithium??\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ukJvTbyH6IE?start=82&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re like most people, you probably focus on a watch&#8217;s exterior <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/can-you-wear-a-blue-watch-with-a-black-suit\/\">appearance<\/a>. You ensure that your watch is <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/heres-what-your-watch-brand-says-about-you\/\">fashionable<\/a>. However, it&#8217;s equally important to consider the <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/9-ways-to-know-if-an-omega-watch-is-an-original\/\">watch&#8217;s<\/a> insides. And if you&#8217;re one of those types who like to take a peek beneath the surface now and then, you may be curious about <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/benefits-of-wearing-a-watch\/\">watch<\/a> batteries. Do chemicals do they contain? Are the health risks and hazards associated with exposure to these chemicals?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><b>Watch batteries contain either mercury, lithium, or silver oxide. However, the sale of mercury batteries is banned in most countries. Today, lithium is the most common chemical in watch <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/how-long-do-digital-watches-last\/\">batteries.<\/a> It&#8217;s really important to consult a doctor in relation to health issues before acting on health and safety information contained in this article.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s crucial to <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/8-ways-to-know-if-a-watch-will-increase-in-value\/\">know the chemicals in your watch<\/a> batteries and how these chemicals can affect you. This article looks at various types of chemicals you can expect to find in watch <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/how-often-do-watch-batteries-need-to-be-replaced\/\">batteries<\/a> and how they can affect your health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Metal Are Watch Batteries Made Of?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/how-many-watches-should-a-man-own\/\">Watch<\/a> batteries are made of one or more metal alloys. The most common metals in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/why-are-watches-called-watches\/\">watch<\/a> batteries include Silver Oxide, Mercury, and Lithium.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver Oxide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver oxide is the primary chemical used to make alkaline <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/ways-to-get-watches-cheap\/\">watch<\/a> batteries. Silver has a low toxicity level and high resistance to corrosion from <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/watch-fog\/\">water<\/a> seeping into your battery compartment. These chemicals are only harmful if they leak. Therefore, it&#8217;s crucial to ensure your <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/why-are-new-watches-always-set-to-10-10\/\">watch<\/a> battery compartment is sealed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to silver oxide <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-quartz-watches-affected-by-magnets\/\">batteries<\/a>, you have two options; potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. Potassium hydroxide batteries are often used in LCD <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-watches-cheaper-in-other-countries\/\">watches<\/a> that have backlights, and they function best in low temperatures. On the other hand, sodium hydroxide watches are commonly used in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-digital-watches-better-than-analog\/\">digital<\/a> watches.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercury&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercury is often used in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-watches-cheaper-in-japan\/\">watch<\/a> batteries because it prevents the build-up of internal gases that cause the battery to expand and burst. The chemical produces a stable environment that allows the batteries to last longer before they need to be replaced.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercury is highly toxic, though, so some companies have phased out its use in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/can-a-watch-cause-an-allergic-reaction\/\">watch<\/a> batteries in recent years due to public concern about toxicity from mercury exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium batteries come in more varieties of types. The main difference between the various types is the cathode material. You&#8217;ll find six types of lithium <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/8-reasons-why-your-watch-batteries-keep-dying\/\">batteries<\/a> on the market. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manganese <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oxide<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Cobalt Oxide<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Iron Phosphate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Titanate&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium Manganese oxide is the most popular among <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-watches-cheaper-in-malaysia\/\">watch<\/a> batteries.&nbsp; This material is safer to <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-nurses-allowed-to-wear-wristwatches\/\">work<\/a> with and not as volatile. It produces a higher voltage than other types, though it also has the shortest life span of all lithium batteries (two to three years)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.great-british-watch.co.uk\/watch-batteries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great British Watch Company<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Toxicity Levels Do Watch Batteries Have?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how toxic are these chemicals, and how do they affect your health? It&#8217;s crucial to understand the difference in toxicity levels between the different types of <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-apple-watches-cheaper-duty-free\/\">watch<\/a> batteries on the market. This way, you&#8217;ll be able to make the best choice.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not to mention, you&#8217;ll know how to handle them safely and dispose of them properly. Here&#8217;s what you should expect from the various chemicals you&#8217;ll find in most <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/ways-to-tell-if-a-titan-watch-is-an-original\/\">watch<\/a> batteries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercury<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mercury batteries contain mercury, a toxic heavy metal that can affect the brain, kidneys, lungs, and other organs if ingested or inhaled in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/how-to-know-if-your-watch-is-too-big-for-you\/\">large<\/a> quantities. <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/9-reasons-why-modern-watches-are-so-large\/\">Large<\/a> exposures to this chemical have been linked with neurological effects, including tremors, memory loss, and fatigue, as well as kidney damage.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These severe health risks are the primary reason mercury <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/do-magnets-affect-watch-batteries\/\">batteries<\/a> are being phased out of most consumer goods. It&#8217;s best to steer clear of all mercury batteries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver Oxide<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver oxide watch <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/watch-batteries-storage\/\">batteries<\/a> are non-toxic under normal circumstances. However, they can cause severe gastrointestinal tract irritation with nausea, vomiting, and possible burns if swallowed..<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If inhaled, this chemical can irritate the respiratory tract with symptoms like burning in the throat and nose, pulmonary edema, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, among other effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver dioxide contact with the eyes or <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/should-a-watch-leave-an-imprint-on-your-skin\/\">skin<\/a> may cause severe irritation. Generally, if handled correctly, silver oxide batteries are safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/fscimage.fishersci.com\/msds\/20819.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FSC Image<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium<\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium-ion batteries and various products containing lithium-ion batteries are often found in many consumer electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries don&#8217;t contain mercury but lithium metal, cobalt oxide, and cathode materials that can be toxic to humans when exposed or ingested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a battery is punctured or damaged, it will release its cells&#8217; chemical contents, which could cause serious health problems, including but not limited to reproductive harm and cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These effects result from some of the chemicals found in lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium, cobalt oxide, and nickel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lithium-ion batteries are not the only types of batteries that contain these chemicals, which may cause health problems. Other battery chemistries, including nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or small button cells, also use some of those same hazardous ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is why it is important to be <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/store-unused-watches\/\">careful<\/a> when removing these batteries from products. If you&#8217;re unsure how to dispose of a watch battery properly, make sure that the store you <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/reasons-why-watches-are-expensive\/\">purchased<\/a> the product from can recycle it for you or contact your local government recycling program if they don&#8217;t have special instructions for electronics and batteries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adamequipment.com\/support\/proposition-65\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adam Equipment<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver Oxide vs Lithium Watch Batteries: Which is Safer?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, Silver Oxide <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/are-watches-cheaper-in-hong-kong\/\">watch<\/a> batteries are the safer option compared to Lithium batteries. These batteries are safe to use under normal circumstances and don&#8217;t pose as much risk as Lithium batteries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, both kinds of these batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat or flames since they can cause a fire and explode. If the battery leaks due to <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/guide-to-watch-maintenance\/\">damage<\/a> or overheating, it&#8217;s advisable to avoid direct exposure to the chemicals. If you&#8217;re unsure how to handle the battery, it&#8217;s best to contact a professional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.large.net\/news\/89u43q5.html#:~:text=However%2C%20they%20have%20a%20quite,with%20their%20cost%20and%20performance.&amp;text=This%20type%20of%20batteries%20charged,especially%20lithium%20cobalt%20oxide%20batteries.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wrapping Up<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you were wondering which chemicals you can expect to find in <a href=\"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/4-ways-to-know-if-a-tudor-watch-is-an-original\/\">watch<\/a> batteries, now you know. The top three chemicals you&#8217;ll find are mercury, silver oxide, and lithium. Mercury is the most toxic of these three chemicals and has been banned in most countries.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, Silver Oxide and Lithium are safer options. Still, they need to be handled carefully because they pose severe health risks if they come into contact with your skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract (if swallowed).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prefer to listen to us read this article? Click below. Remember to consult a doctor about all issues related to health in this article!&nbsp; &nbsp; If you&#8217;re like most people, you probably focus on a watch&#8217;s exterior appearance. You ensure that your watch is fashionable. However, it&#8217;s equally important to consider the watch&#8217;s insides. And [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920.jpeg",1920,1281,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-300x200.jpeg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-768x512.jpeg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-1024x683.jpeg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-1536x1025.jpeg",1536,1025,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920.jpeg",1920,1281,false],"wcicon":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-48x48.jpeg",48,48,true],"wcsquare":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-300x300.jpeg",300,300,true],"wcsmall":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-250x167.jpeg",250,167,true],"wcstandard":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-550x367.jpeg",550,367,true],"wcbig":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-800x534.jpeg",800,534,true],"wcfixedheightsmall":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-270x180.jpeg",270,180,true],"wcfixedheightmedium":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-450x300.jpeg",450,300,true],"wcfixedheight":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-749x500.jpeg",749,500,true],"wccarouselsmall":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-210x150.jpeg",210,150,true],"wccarousel":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-400x285.jpeg",400,285,true],"wcslider":["https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/watch-4040782_1920-1100x500.jpeg",1100,500,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Jasper Highfield","author_link":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/author\/exceptionaltiming_fzy3cb\/"},"uagb_comment_info":1,"uagb_excerpt":"Prefer to listen to us read this article? Click below. Remember to consult a doctor about all issues related to health in this article!&nbsp; &nbsp; If you&#8217;re like most people, you probably focus on a watch&#8217;s exterior appearance. You ensure that your watch is fashionable. However, it&#8217;s equally important to consider the watch&#8217;s insides. And&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2216"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6203,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2216\/revisions\/6203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2217"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exceptionaltiming.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}