Environmental Problems About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are usually more stable and safer compared to diesel and gas powered forklifts. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. However, electric lift trucks can be dangerous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their power source, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are hazards associated with the manufacture, use, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a sulfuric acid solution, which are called lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can cause a variety of health problems to living beings and can even result in death. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is really detrimental to skin and can result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes that could cause damage to the environment and to human beings.
Normal Storage and Use
Lead-acid batteries can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a forklift, flames, heat, smoking and sparks must be kept well away from the recharging site. 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 could lead to chemical burns. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid could 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 could either be recycled or neutralized or could be reused in new batteries. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or purchased within the U.S. include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.