Environmental Issues Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric lift trucks are usually safer and more stable than gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nevertheless, electric forklifts can be dangerous, as well. They have rechargeable batteries as their power source, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural environment. There are hazards associated with the disposal, storage, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
Most lift truck batteries are made by placing lead plates into a sulfuric acid solution. These are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin that, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it could result in a range of health problems to human beings and could even lead to death. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is very detrimental to skin and could result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces noxious fumes which could cause damage to both the natural environment and to human beings.
Regular Use and Storage
Lead-acid batteries could 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 site. The flammable hydrogen could 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 a concern during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can leak or spray, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries improperly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled or could be reused in new batteries. To avoid the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold within the United States include a "core charge" that would only be returned if the used battery is turned in.