Abstract: A novel chemical extraction/washing process is described for detoxifying lead contaminated materials, and in particular, for detoxifying broken lead/acid storage battery casings made from ebonite. In particular, the preferred process of the invention enables the lead content of broken ebonite battery casing material to be reduced to the point that the processed ebonite is no longer a potential harzardous waste by any EPA definition. In the preferred embodiment, the novel process of the invention makes use of the chemical leaching capabilities of nitric acid, and the water solubility of lead nitrates, to dissolve and then wash away the combined lead compounds that contaminate and render hazardous broken ebonite battyer casing material, leaving a clean and usable ebonite product for recycling.