Abstract: An improved button air cell is provided that contains zero mercury, is free of indium on the sealing surface of the anode cup and has an active material comprising zinc alloyed with lead. Also provided is a method of forming a button electrochemical cell free of mercury and having no indium on the inner surface of the anode cup.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell according to the present invention includes a can having an open end; electrochemical materials including two electrodes provided inside the can; a seal provided in the open end of the can for preventing leakage of the electrochemical materials from the can; and a moisture barrier provided in the open end of the can for preventing external moisture from reaching the interior of the cell. Preferably, the ambient air barrier includes an inner cover or outer cover having at least one aperture. The ambient air barrier may further include a moisture-impervious plug material disposed in contact with the inner cover or outer cover for releasably sealing the aperture in the inner cover or outer cover. Alternatively, the moisture barrier may include a layer of moisture-impervious material disposed on the outer surface of the seal in an area exposed to ambient air passing at least partially through the aperture in the inner cover and/or outer cover.