Environmental Problems About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric lift trucks are generally 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. However, electric forklifts can be hazardous, as well. They have rechargeable batteries as their power source, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are hazards associated with the disposal, storage, manufacture and use of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
The majority of 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 that, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can result in various kinds of health problems to human beings and can even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is very 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.
Normal Use and Storage
Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any types of vehicle or a forklift, smoking, sparks, heat and flames 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 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 can leak or spray, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled or can be reused in new batteries. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought within the United States include a "core charge" which would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.