Environmental Concerns Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are usually safer and more stable compared to gas and diesel powered lift trucks. 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 can present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. 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 sulfuric acid solution, that are referred to as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to runoff and drainage. When lead enters a water system it can lead to different kinds of health issues to living beings and can even result in death. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that can cause damage to both human beings and the natural world.
Regular Use and Storage
Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for a forklift or any other types of vehicle, flames, heat, sparks and smoking should be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
If it touches the bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can result in 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 anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled or can be reused in new batteries. To be able to prevent the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold within the U.S. include a "core charge" that will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.