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