Lead is an essential but toxic element of car batteries. The U.S. auto industry promotes the recycling of it as an environmental success story. An investigation by The New York Times and The Examination reveals that the initiative comes at a major human cost, especially abroad.

Peter S. Goodman, who covers the global economy, explains the dirty business of a supposedly clean technology.

Guest: Peter S. Goodman, who covers the global economy for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• The U.S. auto industry was warned for years that battery recycling was poisoning people, an investigation by The Times and The Examination showed.
• Read more about the investigation.

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times

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