Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Tucson

Environmental Concerns About Electric Lift Truck Batteries

Electric lift trucks are normally more stable and safer than gas and diesel powered lift trucks. Gasoline and diesel engines emit toxic exhaust and pose a risk of fire. However, electric lift trucks could be hazardous, as well. They have rechargeable batteries as their source of power, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the environment. There are risks connected with the use, manufacture, disposal and storage of rechargeable batteries for lift trucks.



Manufacturing

The forklift battery consists of lead plates being placed in a sulfuric acid solution, that are called lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic that, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can lead to a variety of health problems to human beings and can even be fatal. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is very harmful to skin and can lead to severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces noxious fumes which can cause damage to human beings and the environment.



Normal Use and Storage

Lead-acid batteries could produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a lift truck, flames, heat, smoking and sparks should 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 cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with bare skin. This is not an issue 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 must be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid could either be recycled or neutralized or can be reused in new batteries. To be able to prevent the serious environmental consequences of wrong disposal, all lead-acid batteries purchased or sold within the U.S. include a "core charge" which will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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