Environmental Concerns About Electric Forklift Batteries
The electric forklift is generally considered more stable and safe than gas and diesel powered internal combustion engines. Both diesel and gas engines pose a fire risk and emit harmful exhaust toxins. The electric forklift is not without is hazards however. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are risks connected with the disposal, storage, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.
Manufacturing
The forklift battery consists of lead plates being placed in a solution of sulfuric acid, that are called lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it could result in a variety of health problems to living beings and can even result in death. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is very harmful to skin and can cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes which could cause damage to both the environment and to human beings.
Normal Storage and Use
Lead-acid batteries could 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 should be kept well away from the recharging site. The flammable hydrogen could cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.
Sulfuric acid in the batteries can lead to chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not a concern 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 incorrectly must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled or can be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold in the U.S. include a "core charge" which will only be returned if the used battery is turned in.