Environmental Concerns About Electric Lift Truck Batteries
The electric lift truck is normally considered more stable and safe compared to gas and diesel powered IC engines. Both diesel and gas engines pose a fire risk and emit harmful exhaust toxins. The electric lift truck is not without is hazards though. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are risks connected with the manufacture, use, storage and disposal 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 toxic that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality because of drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it can lead to a variety of health issues to human beings and could even result in death. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is really harmful to skin and can lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that can cause damage to human beings and the natural world.
Normal Storage and Use
Lead-acid batteries can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for a lift truck or any other kinds of vehicle, heat, flames, smoking and sparks must be kept well away from the recharging place. The combustible hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries could cause chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries improperly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be recycled or neutralized or could be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought in the United States include a "core charge" that would only be returned if the used battery is turned in.