Environmental Issues Regarding Electric Forklift Batteries
Electric forklifts are generally safer and more stable than diesel and gas powered forklifts. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. Nevertheless, electric forklifts can be hazardous, also. 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 connected with the storage, disposal, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.
Manufacturing
Nearly all lift truck 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 water quality due to drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it could lead to a variety of health problems to human beings and can even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is harmful to skin and can result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that can cause damage to human beings and the natural world.
Regular Use and Storage
Lead-acid batteries can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a forklift, flames, heat, smoking and sparks must be kept well away from the recharging place. The flammable hydrogen could cause an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.
If it come into contact with bare skin, sulfuric acid in the batteries can lead to chemical burns. This is not an issue during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is damaged or punctured, the acid can leak or spray, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.
Disposal
Incorrect disposal of lead-acid batteries should always be avoided. These batteries should be recycled correctly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled. To avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold in the U.S. include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.