Environmental Concerns Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries
Electric lift trucks are usually more stable and safer than gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. On the other hand, electric forklifts can be hazardous, too. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are risks associated with the use, manufacture, storage and disposal of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
Nearly all forklift 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 which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water because of drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it could result in different types of health problems to living beings and can even cause death. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is harmful to skin and could lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that can cause damage to the environment and to human beings.
Normal Use and Storage
Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for a forklift or any other types of vehicle, smoking, sparks, heat and flames must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen could cause an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.
If it come into contact with bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries could result in chemical burns. This is not a concern during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is damaged or punctured, the acid can leak or spray, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.
Disposal
Improper disposal of lead-acid batteries must always be avoided. These batteries should be recycled properly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled. To be able to avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold in the United States include a "core charge" that would only be returned if the used battery is turned in.