Environmental Problems About Electric Forklift Batteries
The electric lift truck is normally considered more safe and stable compared to gas and diesel powered internal combustion engines. Both gas and diesel engines pose a fire risk and emit harmful exhaust toxins. The electric lift truck is not without is hazards however. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are risks associated with the manufacture, use, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
Nearly all forklift batteries are made by placing lead plates into a sulfuric acid solution. These are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it can lead to various kinds of health problems to living beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is really detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which could cause damage to humans 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, smoking, sparks, flames and heat should be kept well away from the recharging place. The combustible hydrogen could result in an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.
If it come into contact with bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries could result in chemical burns. This is not a concern during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid could spray or leak, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled or could be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or purchased in the United States include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.