Crushed AA battery. How do I handle?

February 5, 2016 6:21 PM

Workmen just came to my new apartment to remove a broken washing machine. After they left, I found a crushed AA battery where the machine was left. I have no idea how old it was or if they crushed it moving the washer. There was liquid on the floor, but that could have been from disconnecting the washer. How do I clean this up safely?

I have removed the battery with a dustpan and broom and double bagged it for disposal later (on my balcony)

I'm cleaning the area with water and a mop. I'm running a vent. What else should I be doing? Would it be safest to toss the mop?

Am a worrying too much or not enough? An answer seems beyond my Google Fu.

posted by frumiousb to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

Best answer: We're talking about a standard alkaline battery here, right? Those contain a mixture of zinc, potassium hydroxide, and manganese dioxide. The zinc is harmless, the potassium hydroxide is caustic but safe once diluted, and manganese dioxide can stain your skin but is otherwise not particularly noxious. Clean it with soap and water and don't worry about it.
posted by fifthrider at 6:35 PM on February 5, 2016 [12 favorites]

This might help... Also, what kind of battery was it?
posted by HuronBob at 6:36 PM on February 5, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Alkaline, yes. Thanks!
posted by frumiousb at 6:43 PM on February 5, 2016

Response by poster: ( I remember my mother's dim but dire warnings about leaking batteries and doom...
posted by frumiousb at 6:44 PM on February 5, 2016

Personally, I wouldn't worry much about it. mop it clean, recycle the body...
posted by HuronBob at 6:45 PM on February 5, 2016 [2 favorites]

frumiousb, your mother was likely thinking of car batteries, which contain corrosive sulfuric acid and lead.
posted by erst at 11:38 PM on February 5, 2016

Leaking alkaline batteries are really hard on the electronic equipment they leak into but not really a contact hazard to humans.
posted by Mitheral at 1:12 AM on February 6, 2016 [1 favorite]