Environmental Concerns Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric lift trucks are normally more stable and safer than diesel and gas powered lift trucks. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nevertheless, electric forklifts can be dangerous, also. 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 connected with the manufacture, use, storage and disposal of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
Most lift truck batteries are made by placing lead plates into a solution of sulfuric acid. These are known as 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 kinds of health issues to people 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 toxic fumes that can cause damage to the environment and to humans.
Regular Use and Storage
When recharging, the lead-acid battery could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for any types of vehicle or a lift truck, sparks, smoking, flames and heat should be kept well away from the recharging place. The combustible hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries could cause chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not a problem during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is damaged or punctured, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Improper 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 can either be recycled or neutralized. To prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or purchased within the U.S. include a "core charge" that would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.