Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Long Beach

Environmental Concerns Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries

Electric lift trucks are normally safer and more stable compared to 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 can be dangerous, as well. They have rechargeable batteries as their power source, and batteries could present risks to the environment as well as to personal safety. There are risks associated with the manufacture, use, storage and disposal of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.



Manufacturing

Nearly all lift truck batteries are made by placing lead plates into a sulfuric acid solution. These are called lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to runoff and drainage. When lead enters a water system it could cause different types of health problems to living beings and can even result in death. The sulfuric acid utilized in lift truck batteries is harmful to skin and could lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces noxious fumes that could cause damage to human beings and the natural world.



Regular 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 lift truck, flames, heat, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen could lead to an explosion if ignited by flame or heat.



If it come into contact with 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 damaged or punctured, the acid could leak or spray, 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 recycled or neutralized or can be reused in new batteries. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold in the U.S. include a "core charge" that would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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