Which hazardous material is commonly found in vehicle batteries?

Sulfuric acid is a commonly used electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, which are prevalent in vehicles. In these batteries, sulfuric acid reacts with lead and lead dioxide to produce electricity. Understanding that sulfuric acid is corrosive and can pose significant hazards in the event of a battery leak or spill is crucial for fire fighters and emergency responders. In contrast, while hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and pentaic acid are hazardous materials, they are not typically associated with vehicle batteries. Fire fighters need to be aware of the specific hazards presented by sulfuric acid to effectively respond to incidents involving vehicle batteries.