Rechargeable lithium batteries are described comprising an airtight container, electrodes immersed in an electrolytic solution and spaced apart by means of one or more separators, electrical contacts connected to the electrodes and a means for sorbing harmful substances formed of a multilayer polymeric sheet comprised of an inner layer of a polymeric material containing particles of one or more getter materials for the sorption of the harmful substances, and at least one external protective layer of a polymeric material impermeable to the electrolyte, wherein all the polymeric materials are permeable to the harmful substances.