Jungheinrich Warehouse Forklift Portland

Environmental Concerns About Electric Forklift Batteries

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



Manufacturing

The forklift battery consists of lead plates being placed in a sulfuric acid solution, which are known as lead-acid rechargeable batteries. Lead is toxic that, when utilized in manufacturing processes, poses hazards to the quality of water due to drainage and runoff. Once lead enters a water system it can cause different types of health issues to living beings and can even cause death. The sulfuric acid used in lift truck batteries is detrimental to skin and could cause severe burns. Sulfuric acid also produces harmful fumes that could cause damage to both human beings and the natural environment.



Regular Use and Storage

When recharging, the lead-acid battery can produce hydrogen gas as a chemical byproduct. When recharging batteries for any kinds of vehicle or a lift truck, sparks, smoking, heat and flames must be kept well away from the recharging site. The combustible hydrogen could cause 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 punctured or damaged, the acid could leak or spray, potentially burning anybody who is nearby.



Disposal

Disposing of lead-acid batteries incorrectly should be avoided at all costs. The sulfuric acid can either be neutralized or recycled or can be reused in new batteries. To be able to prevent the serious environmental consequences of incorrect disposal, all lead-acid batteries bought or sold in the United States include a "core charge" that would just be returned if the used battery is turned in.

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