Abstract: A method of suppressing lead dust generated in the manufacture of pasted lead acid storage battery plates by coating the surface of a pasted battery plate with a solution or a suspension comprising ammonium sulfate, copolymer and water. The resultant water insoluble film is made porous by the simultaneous evolution of ammonia gas produced during the coating process. The porous water insoluble film on the battery plate results in an electric storage battery with a lower internal resistance, than previously disclosed coatings and produces a battery with performance characteristics less inhibited than those made with previously disclosed coatings.