Environmental Problems About Electric Forklift Batteries
Electric forklifts are normally safer and more stable than diesel and gas powered lift trucks. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nonetheless, electric forklifts can be dangerous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to the natural world as well as to personal safety. There are risks associated with the use, manufacture, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
The majority of lift truck 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 utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality because of drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it can cause various kinds of health issues to living beings and could even result in death. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is detrimental to skin and can lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which could cause damage to the natural world and to humans.
Regular Use and Storage
When recharging, the lead-acid battery can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for any types of vehicle or a lift truck, heat, flames, smoking and sparks should be kept well away from the recharging place. The combustible hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries can result in chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is damaged or punctured, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Incorrect disposal of lead-acid batteries should always be avoided. These batteries must be recycled correctly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or purchased in the United States include a "core charge" that will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.