Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Fort Worth

Environmental Concerns About Electric Lift Truck Batteries

Electric forklifts are usually safer and more stable than diesel and gas powered forklifts. Diesel and gasoline engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. On the other hand, electric lift trucks could be dangerous, also. 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 forklift batteries are made by placing lead plates into a sulfuric acid solution. These are referred to as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can result in a variety of health problems to living beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is very detrimental to skin and could lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which could cause damage to human beings and the natural environment.



Normal Storage and Use

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



Sulfuric acid in the batteries can lead to chemical burns if it comes into contact with bare skin. This is not a problem during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid can spray or leak, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.



Disposal

Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be neutralized or recycled or could be reused in new batteries. To be able to avoid the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold within the United States include a "core charge" which will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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