Environmental Concerns About Electric Forklift Batteries
The electric forklift is normally considered more stable and safe compared to 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 source of power, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are hazards associated with the use, manufacture, storage and disposal of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a sulfuric acid solution, which are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality because of drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it could lead to a range of health problems to people and could even cause death. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is detrimental 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
When recharging, the lead-acid battery could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for any types of vehicle or a forklift, heat, flames, smoking and sparks should be kept well away from the recharging place. The flammable hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.
If it touches the bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries could cause chemical burns. This is not an issue 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
Incorrect 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 could either be neutralized or recycled. To be able to prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or purchased within the United States include a "core charge" that would only be returned if the used battery is turned in.