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