Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Salt Lake City

Environmental Issues Regarding Electric Lift Truck Batteries

The electric lift truck is generally considered more safe and stable than 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 though. They have rechargeable batteries as their power source, and batteries can present risks to personal safety as well as to the natural world. There are hazards associated with the storage, disposal, use and manufacture of rechargeable batteries for forklifts.



Manufacturing

Nearly all 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 that, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to water quality due to drainage and runoff. When lead enters a water system it can lead to a variety of health issues to human beings and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid utilized in forklift batteries is really harmful to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces noxious fumes which can cause damage to both 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 types of vehicle or a forklift, flames, heat, sparks and smoking must be kept well away from the recharging place. The flammable hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.



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



Disposal

Improper disposal of lead-acid batteries must always be avoided. These batteries should be recycled correctly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled. To avoid the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold within the United States include a "core charge" that will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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