Environmental Problems About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are normally safer and more stable compared to gas and diesel powered forklifts. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nevertheless, electric lift trucks can be hazardous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to the natural world as well as to personal safety. There are risks associated with the storage, disposal, manufacture and use of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, that are called lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can lead to different types of health issues to human beings and can even lead to death. The sulfuric acid used in lift truck batteries is detrimental to skin and could result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which can cause damage to humans and the environment.
Normal Use and Storage
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, heat, flames, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can result in an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries could cause chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be recycled or neutralized or could be reused in new batteries. In order to prevent the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought in the United States include a "core charge" which will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.