Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Salem

Environmental Problems About Electric Lift Truck Batteries

The electric lift truck is usually considered more stable and safe compared to gas and diesel powered IC engines. Both diesel and gas engines pose a fire risk and emit harmful exhaust toxins. The electric lift truck is not without is hazards however. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries could present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural environment. There are risks connected with the manufacture, use, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.



Manufacturing

Most lift truck batteries are made by placing lead plates into a solution of sulfuric acid. These are referred to as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to runoff and drainage. When lead enters a water system it could result in a variety of health issues to living beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in lift truck batteries is detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that could cause damage to both human beings and the natural world.



Normal Use and Storage

Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for a lift truck or any other types of vehicle, heat, flames, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen could lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.



Sulfuric acid in the batteries could 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 damaged or punctured, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.



Disposal

Disposing of lead-acid batteries improperly must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled or could be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought within the United States include a "core charge" that would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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