Environmental Issues About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric forklifts are normally safer and more stable than gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. However, electric lift trucks could be dangerous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries can present risks to the environment as well as to personal safety. There are hazards associated with the use, manufacture, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
Nearly all forklift batteries are made by placing lead plates into a solution of sulfuric acid. These 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 could lead to various types of health problems to living beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is really detrimental to skin and could lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which could cause damage to both the natural world and to human beings.
Regular Storage and Use
When recharging, the lead-acid battery could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for a lift truck or any other kinds of vehicle, smoking, sparks, heat and flames should be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
If it touches the bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can 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
Incorrect disposal of lead-acid batteries must always be avoided. These batteries must be recycled properly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold within the U.S. include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.