Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Los Angeles

Environmental Problems About Electric Forklift Batteries

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



Manufacturing

The lift truck battery consists of lead plates being placed in a sulfuric acid solution, which are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is a toxin which, when used in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water because of runoff and drainage. When lead enters a water system it can lead to a variety of health issues to people and could even be fatal. The sulfuric acid used in forklift batteries is detrimental to skin and could result in severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces toxic fumes which could cause damage to both the 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 types of vehicle or a lift truck, smoking, sparks, flames and heat should be kept well away from the recharging site. The flammable hydrogen can lead to an explosion if ignited by heat or flame.



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 can leak or spray, potentially burning anyone who is nearby.



Disposal

Incorrect disposal of lead-acid batteries must always be avoided. These batteries must be recycled properly or reused in new batteries so that the sulfuric acid could either be recycled or neutralized. In order to avoid the serious environmental consequences of improper disposal, all lead-acid batteries sold or bought within the United States include a "core charge" that will just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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