A recent Washington Post article discusses the health risks associated with the mining and processing of manganese, a key ingredient in electric vehicle batteries. Manganese can be toxic if inhaled in high concentrations, and workers in manganese mines and smelters have reported a range of neurological problems, including memory loss, slurred speech, and impaired coordination.
The article also examines the environmental impact of manganese mining, noting that the process can generate large amounts of toxic waste. As the demand for electric vehicles increases, so too will the demand for manganese, and it is important to ensure that the mining and processing of this mineral does not come at the expense of human health or the environment.