Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift San Diego

Environmental Concerns About Electric Forklift Batteries

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



Manufacturing

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



Regular Use and Storage

Lead-acid batteries can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct when recharging. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a forklift, smoking, sparks, flames and heat must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen can cause an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.



Sulfuric acid in the batteries could result in chemical burns if it touches the bare skin. This is not a concern during normal use of the battery, but if a battery is punctured or damaged, the acid could spray or leak, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.



Disposal

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

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