Environmental Issues Regarding Electric Forklift Batteries
Electric lift trucks are normally more stable and safer than diesel and gas powered forklifts. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nonetheless, electric forklifts could be dangerous, also. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are hazards associated with the storage, disposal, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, which are referred to as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality because of drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it can cause a range of health problems to people and could even result in death. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is very detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes that can cause damage to both the environment and to human beings.
Normal 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 types of vehicle, heat, flames, smoking and sparks must be kept well away from the recharging place. The flammable hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
If it touches the bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can cause chemical burns. This is not a problem during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can spray or leak, 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 can be reused in new batteries. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold in the United States include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.