20211018_J-Leonhardt

From:
Jess Leonhardt
To:
NCMininaProaram
Subject:
[External] Concerning Health Hazards of Lithium
Date:
Monday, October 18, 2021 1:59:34 PM
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Lithium is a soft, silver to grey odorless metal, crystalline mass, or powder. It is the third
element in the periodic table; with an atomic weight of 6.940, making it the lightest of all
metals. Its chemical properties place it in the alkali metal group. It is listed on the Hazardous
Substance list by DOT and NFPA, and also listed on the Special Health Hazard Substance
List.
Exposure risks and side effects of Lithium include:
--Severe irritation/bums to the skin and eyes
--Irritation to the nose and throat
--Irritation on the lungs
--Higher exposures may cause Pulmonary Edema
-- loss of appetite
--nausea
--vomiting
--headache
--muscle weakness
--loss of coordination
--confusion
--seizures
--coma
--certain Lithium compounds have been determined to cause reproductive damage
--may also affect the thyroid gland, kidneys, and heart function
OSHA calls for PPE when in the vicinity of Lithium, including gloves, hazmat suits, eye
protection, and respirators.

Lithium is reactive and an explosion hazard, emitting poisonous gases when burning. Lithium
powder or dust is also capable of spontaneously combusting in air. The resulting fire may also
reignite spontaneously even after being extinguished. Additionally it becomes corrosive when
in contact with moisture/water/steam. There are also significant risks of violent reactions if it
comes into contact with oxidizing agents.
Piedmont Lithium's plan to mine lithium will include several thousand feet of conveyor belts
moving the lithium they have processed in the mine to a plant. These conveyors will be out in
the open running over the mine, fields and roads. When the wind blows over the conveyors
lithium particulate will be blown into the atmosphere and spread out over Gaston County.
Knowing the risks, do we really want our children breathing air that has lithium in it? Do you
want to breathe it?
They also plan to carry Mica and Feldspar on the conveyor belts. Feldspar is a common raw
material used in glassmaking. Both Mica and Feldspar carry significant risks when inhaled,
including:
--irritation
--chest pain
--rash
--bluish skin color
--lung damage/fibrosis
--cancer
--lung disease pneumoconiosis
--dyspnea
--weakness
--weight loss
Do we want that blowing in the wind over our children, allowing them to unwillingly inhale
substances that will cause long term damage?
Piedmont Lithium claims the conveyors will be completely sealed. But since they have started
buying up land they have made many statements that have turned out not to be true. At first
they were going to use trucks. Their plans and stories keep changing. The layout of the mine
keeps changing. They gave the county commissioners a different map from what they had
online for investors and employees to see. Just promising that several thousand feet of
conveyor belt will be completely encclosed is not trustworthy. Any conveyor system must be
presented in full detail and not empty promises. It must be fully reviewed by scientists and

engineers to ensure that we and our children are kept safe and not exposed to dangerous
chemicals and airborne particles.
Piedmont Lithium also will have to pump water out of the mines. This water will have lithium
and other byproduct residuals in it. Do we want it in the Southfork River? Do we want it
contaminating a significant source of water for many of the surrounding counties?
The risks far outweigh the benefits; not just for the residents in the immediate vicinity of the
proposed mine, but for a significant portion of the entire Piedmont area.
Jessica Leonhardt
129 George Payseur Rd
Crouse, NC, 28033
704-675-1608