Environmental Problems Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries
The electric lift truck is usually considered more stable and safe than diesel and gas powered IC engines. Both gas and diesel 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 power source, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are hazards connected with the use, manufacture, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, that are referred to as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it could cause a range of health problems to people and could even cause death. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is harmful to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces noxious fumes which can cause damage to the natural world 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 any kinds of vehicle or a lift truck, heat, flames, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
If it come into contact with bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries could result in chemical burns. This is not a problem during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid could spray or leak, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Disposing of lead-acid batteries improperly must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be recycled or neutralized or can be reused in new batteries. To avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought in the United States include a "core charge" which will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.