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Biological impact of lead from halide perovskites reveals the risk of introducing a safe threshold

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  • Junming Li

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University
    Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie
    Fuzhou University)

  • Hai-Lei Cao

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University)

  • Wen-Bin Jiao

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University)

  • Qiong Wang

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie)

  • Mingdeng Wei

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Irene Cantone

    (University of Naples Federico II
    CNR Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale (IEOS))

  • Jian Lü

    (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University)

  • Antonio Abate

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie
    Fuzhou University)

Abstract

Regulations currently in force enable to claim that the lead content in perovskite solar cells is low enough to be safe, or no more dangerous, than other electronics also containing lead. However, the actual environmental impact of lead from perovskite is unknown. Here we show that the lead from perovskite leaking into the ground can enter plants, and consequently the food cycle, ten times more effectively than other lead contaminants already present as the result of the human activities. We further demonstrate that replacing lead with tin represents an environmentally-safer option. Our data suggest that we need to treat the lead from perovskite with exceptional care. In particular, we point out that the safety level for lead content in perovskite-based needs to be lower than other lead-containing electronics. We encourage replacing lead completely with more inert metals to deliver safe perovskite technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Junming Li & Hai-Lei Cao & Wen-Bin Jiao & Qiong Wang & Mingdeng Wei & Irene Cantone & Jian Lü & Antonio Abate, 2020. "Biological impact of lead from halide perovskites reveals the risk of introducing a safe threshold," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-13910-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13910-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Ryu, Jun & Bahadur, Jitendra & Hayase, Shuzi & Jeong, Sang Mun & Kang, Dong-Won, 2023. "Efficient and stable energy conversion using 2D/3D mixed Sn-perovskite photovoltaics with antisolvent engineering," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    2. Krebs-Moberg, Miles & Pitz, Mandy & Dorsette, Tiara L. & Gheewala, Shabbir H., 2021. "Third generation of photovoltaic panels: A life cycle assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 556-565.

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