Environmental Problems About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are normally safer and more stable than gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nevertheless, electric forklifts can be dangerous, also. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are risks connected with the disposal, storage, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
Nearly all lift truck batteries are made by placing lead plates into a solution of sulfuric acid. These are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water due to runoff and drainage. Once lead enters a water system it can lead to various kinds of health problems to human beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in lift truck batteries is very detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes which could cause damage to humans and the environment.
Normal Use and Storage
When recharging, the lead-acid battery could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for a forklift or any other types of vehicle, smoking, sparks, flames and heat should be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries can cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with bare skin. This is not a concern 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
Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid can either be recycled or neutralized or could be reused in new batteries. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought in the United States include a "core charge" which would only be returned if the used battery is turned in.