Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.
Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.
Thought it might be a battery pack at first so I wasn’t going to touch it but it appears to be plastic.
Possibly broken at the top? Unsure.
IDK, but you probably made the right choice by taking it home and bringing it inside your house. No chance it could be anything dangerous or toxic.
Ok, good. I was worried there for a second. Thanks!
Looks like a PJ996 lantern battery whose top cover broke off. It's probably carbon-zinc, in which case you can recover a decently big graphite rod from each cell.
I'd warn against opening the cells if you don't know how old it is. Modern ones are safe, older ones might contain heavy metals.
🤘
I think these have basically always been carbon-zinc, or alkaline.
Technically, zinc is a heavy metal, but basically harmless to humans unless you eat the whole thing. Alkaline batteries contain managous oxide, which is a heavy metal, but you'd need some serious chronic exposure to get into trouble from that.
It's still a good idea not to open random crap that washes ashore, because there are definitely FAR more dangerous things that come in small metal cylinders. Like unexploded ordnance.
Technically, zinc is a heavy metal, but basically harmless to humans unless you eat the whole thing.
New Ticktok challenge! Get the word out.
Yeah, also knows as a 4R25 6V battery, or the battery from a "24 hours lamp" (from way back when they still used lightbulbs, they last weeks now on LEDs). Those lanterns are used a lot in marine work and roadworks. Having one land in the sea is entirely common.
Looks like a 6V alkaline battery, without the top. Here’s someone opening one:
Someone was doing their part to keep the eels going
Remains of what I know as a "camping battery". Six Volts, and loads of energy.
Remains of the battery from a lantern/marking buoy. Might contain heavy elements.
These used to be single use and dropped in the ocean upon replacement. More efficient light bulbs have replaced many with solar cells and wave generators, and better environmental awareness has stopped dumping these in the sea and they're instead recycled. At least here in Norway.
"Shit, this plastic vessel full of poison ran out... should we take it to shore and dispose of it properly?"
"Heavens no, just throw it directly in the ocean! Out of sight out of mind!"