IAI members are keenly aware of their responsibility to communities living near their plants. Studies have been done to monitor the impact of aluminium production on the health of local communities for each of the key processes:

• Mining

  Generally bauxite mining occurs in remote areas where, prior to the arrival of the mine, medical care may have been very basic. The presence of a mine and its associated medical support system is often a significant benefit for local residents in providing enhanced access to health care services.

• Refining

  When bauxite is refined to alumina, there may be some indirect health risks for the local community. These include the potential for aquifers to be contaminated by caustic soda and for neighbouring lands to be impacted by air emissions of ore contaminants. The health impacts of these potential risks are, however, extremely low. Generally the overall health impact near refineries is more likely to be positive for the same reason as in mining – improved medical services being made available to the local community.

• Smelting

  The production technologies used in smelters mean that some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be emitted. While there is little evidence to suggest any significant negative effects for people living nearby, the issue continues to be monitored closely. Smelters are increasingly adopting low PAH pitches and enhanced emission capture systems to minimise any possible impacts that may occur.

  Another possible impact of smelting operations is a disease caused by the uptake of excessive fluoride compounds – fluorosis. While it has been found within a handful of communities in Russia and Asia, appropriate exhaust emission control systems are in use to minimize any risks at the majority of plants worldwide and are now being also adopted where they may not have preciously existed.

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