Environmental Concerns About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are usually more stable and safer compared to gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. However, electric lift trucks can be hazardous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to the natural environment as well as to personal safety. There are risks connected with the storage, disposal, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
The forklift battery consists of lead plates being placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, that are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water because of runoff and drainage. When lead enters a water system it can lead to a variety of health problems to living beings and can even be fatal. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is really detrimental to skin and could lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes which can cause damage to both human beings and the natural world.
Regular Storage and Use
Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a lift truck, flames, heat, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging place. The flammable hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
If it come into contact with bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can cause chemical burns. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is damaged or punctured, the acid could leak or spray, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Improper disposal of lead-acid batteries must always be avoided. These batteries must be recycled properly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled. To be able to prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold in the U.S. include a "core charge" which will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.