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Hydrogen Fluoride :
Sulphur Dioxide :
Tetrafluoromethane :
Hexafluoroethane :
Oxides of Nitrogen
Polycyclic
Aromatic Hydrocarbons :
Particulate Matter
: Carbon Monoxide
: Selenium :
Other
"In point of
fact, fluoride causes more human cancer death, and
causes it faster, than any other chemical."
Dean Burk, Chief Chemist
Emeritus, US National Cancer Institute
HEALTH HAZARDS
| Emission |
Hydrogen
Fluoride
HF |
| Dsecript. |
Hydrogen
fluoride is a colourless, fuming liquid or
gas (depending on the temperature) with a
strong, irritating odour. The air odour
threshold for hydrogen fluoride is 0.042
part per million (ppm) parts of air.
Exposure to hydrogen fluoride and its
aqueous solution can occur through
inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin
contact |
| Hazards |
Lung and
bladder cancer, bone deformity,
hypothyroidism, fluorosis, tooth decay,
osteosclerosis (hardening of the bones),
sinus trouble, perforation of the nasal
septum, chest pains, coughs, thyroid
disorders, anemia, dizziness, weakness,
nausea, diarrhea, respiratory
disorders (sometimes termed “pot-line
asthma'), hemorrhagic pulmonary edema (fluid
accumulation and swelling in the lungs),
hypocalcemia (a low bood calcium level),
hypomagnesemia (deficiency of magnesium in
the blood) , cardiac arrhythmias, renal
failure, ventricular fibrillation,
serious damage to vegetation, respiratory,
eye, skin problems in animals.
In some studies it has been found that there
is a possibility that fluoride can cross the
placenta from the mother’s blood to the
developing fetus. A possible increase
in birth defects or lower IQ scores in
children living in areas with very high
levels of fluoride in the drinking water. |
| Links |
Fluoride Action Network;
US. Dept. Labour;
Fluoride Air Pollution;
The Fluoride Factor;
Mohawks and Fluoride;
Aluminum Industry & Flouride;
The Fluoride Conspiracy;
No Smelters in T&T;
Toxicity of Hydrogen Fluoride Versus Other
Acid Gases;
Air pollution from aluminium smelters |
| PDF Files |
Sulphur Dioxide Fact Sheet - [24kbs]
Chronic Toxicity Summary - Fluorides
including Hydrogen Flouride.
- [180kbs]
Toxicological Profile for Fluorides,
Hydrogen Fluoride and Fluorine. -
[2.2mbs] |
| Emission |
Sulphur Dioxide
SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide) |
| Descript. |
Sulphur
Dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gaseous
compound made up of sulphur and oxygen with a
very pungent odour. It is a liquid when
under pressure, it dissolves in water very
easily and is a major component of acid
rain. Sulphur dioxide has been
identified in air, surface water,
groundwater, soil, or sediment. Exposure to
sulphur [sulfur] dioxide occurs from
breathing it in the air. |
| Hazards |
Severely
irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes,
skin, and respiratory tract. Bronchospasm,
pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, and acute
airway obstruction can occur, inhalation
exposure to very low concentrations of
sulphur dioxide can aggravate chronic
pulmonary diseases, such as asthma and
emphysema. Causes burning of the skin.
Children with the highest exposure to sulphur
dioxide are those living near industrial
sources.
throat and lungs complications in animals,
Corrosive to plants and buildings, causes of
acid rain, detrimental air quality. |
| Links |
The
Sulphur Dioxide Plumes of Kwinana;
Environmental Literacy Council - Aluminium;
ATSDR - Sulfur Dioxide;
No Smelters in T&T |
| PDF Files |
Sulphur Dioxide Fact Sheet - [97kbs]
Acute Toxicity Summary - Sulphur Diozide.
- [24kbs]
Toxicological Profile for Suphur (Sulfur)
DIoxide - [3.5mbs] |
| Emission |
Tetrafluoromethane CF4
- a Perfluorocarbon (PFC)
- PFC's resulting from the smelting process
are the most potent GHG gasses. Once PFC's
are released to the atmosphere, their
greenhouse impact is essentially
irreversible. |
| Descript. |
Tetrafluoromethane is an odourless gas that
contributes to the greenhouse effect. It is
very stable and lasts a long time in the
atmosphere and is a very powerful greenhouse
gas. Its atmospheric lifetime is 50 000
years and global warming factor is 6500
(carbon dioxide has 1).
The major physical hazard is that a
container may rupture or explode if exposed
to heat. |
| Hazards |
Inhalation
of tetrafluoromethane can cause, according
to concentration, headache, nausea,
dizziness, vomiting, symptoms of
drunkenness, disorientation and suffocation
and damage of cardiovascular system (mainly
heart). Long-terming exposure can cause
heavy heart damage. |
| Links |
Dirty dam draws dirty smelters;
Wikipedia -
Tetrafluoromethane;
The Greenhouse Effect;
No Smelters in T&T;
Behind the Shining - Aluminium's Dark Side;
ILO - Tetrafluoromethane; |
| PDF Files |
PFC Emissions from Australian Aluminium
Smelters - [92kbs] |
| Emission |
Hexafluoroethane
C2F6
- a Perfluorocarbon (PFC)
- PFC's resulting
from the smelting process are the most
potent greenhouse gasses. Once PFC's are
released to the atmosphere, their greenhouse
impact is essentially irreversible. |
| Descript. |
Hexafluoroethane is an colourless, odourless
gas that contributes to the greenhouse
effect. Due to high energy of C-F
bonds, it is very inert and thus acts as a
extremely stable greenhouse gas with
atmospheric lifetime 10000 years and global
warming potential (GWP) is 9200.
The major physical hazard is that a
container may rupture or explode if exposed
to heat. |
| Hazards |
Very similar
to Tetrafluoromethane. Short term exposure
can cause nausea, vomiting, symptoms of
drunkenness, disorientation, tingling
sensation, suffocation, convulsions and
coma. |
| Links |
Wikipedia - Hexafluoroethane;
Behind the Shining - Aluminium's Dark Side; |
| Emission |
Oxides of
Nitrogen - Nitrogen Oxide
NO |
| Descript. |
The substance is
a strong oxidant and reacts with combustible
and reducing materials. On contact with air
it emits nitrogen dioxide.
Absorbed into the body by inhalation or
absorption through the skin.
Nitrogen
dioxide reacts with sunlight, which leads to
the formation of ozone and smog conditions
in the air we breathe. |
| Hazards |
Low levels
of nitrogen oxides in the air can irritate
your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
High levels of nitrogen oxides can cause
rapid burning sensation, spasms, and
swelling of tissues in the throat and upper
respiratory tract, coughing, dizziness,
headaches, sweating, nausea, vomiting,
shortness of breath, weakness, reduced
oxygenation of body tissues, a build-up of
fluid in your lungs, weakness of the immune
system. Can be fatal.
Exposure of pregnant animals, as in
women, to oxides of nitrogen may cause
low birthrates and nervous system damage
to the offspring.
|
| Links |
Wikipedia - Nitrogen Dioxide;
ILO - Nitrogen Dioxide;
Nitrogen Dioxide Fact Sheet;
Oxides of nitrogen fact sheet;
MMG for Nitrogen Oxides; |
| PDF Files |
ILO - Nitrogen Oxide - [82kbs] |
| Emission |
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(PAHs) |
| Descript. |
Some PAHs
are manufactured. These pure PAHs usually
exist as colorless, white, or pale
yellow-green solids, result from the
incomplete combustion of organic compounds
and are released into the atmosphere as
gases or particles. Sources include
anode production in aluminium smelters.
You can be exposed to Polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH)s by inhalation and by
coming into contact with soil containing
PAHs ingestion of contaminated water or cows
milk. |
| Hazards |
Lung, Bladder and Skin
Cancer and may affect the eyes, kidneys and
liver.
PAH's affect babies - Fetus is at greater
risk and susceptibility: Growth
retardation, Low birth weight, Small head
circumference, Low IQ, Damaged DNA.
Disrupt endocrine systems, such as estrogen,
thyroid, and steroids. Affect in women -
Early menopause related to the destruction
of ovum (egg). |
| Links |
Toxic Facts File - Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs);
Hunter Health - Smelters;
Wikipedia - Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; |
| Emission |
Particulate
Matter PM10
and PM2.5 |
| Descript. |
Particulates
vary in size, Fine particles PM10
containing sulfates, nitrates, elemental
carbon and organics, are produced by
combustion processes, including iron and
steel manufacturing, PM2.5's are
either emitted directly from combustion
sources or are formed in the atmosphere
through complex oxidation reactions
involving gases, such as SO2 or NOx. |
| Hazards |
Inhalation
of PM10 leads to sthma, lung
cancer, cardiovascular issues, cause similar
brain damage as that found in Alzheimer
patients, and premature death.
Inhalation of PM2.5 leads to high
plaque deposits in arteries, causing
vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis —
a hardening of the arteries that reduces
elasticity, which can lead to heart attacks
and other cardiovascular problems. |
| Links |
Wikipedia - Particulates;
Scientific Facts on Air Pollution -
Particulate Matter; |
| Emission |
Carbon Monoxide
CO |
| Descript. |
CO is
produced by the incomplete combustion of
carbon-containing fuels, either from power
plants, heavy industry or motor vehicles.
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odorless,
tasteless, toxic gas. |
| Hazards |
Anthropogenic CO from industrial emissions
may contribute to the greenhouse effect and
global warming. Carbon monoxide is a
significantly toxic gas and is the most
common type of fatal poisoning in many
countries. Exposures can lead to significant
toxicity of the central nervous system and
heart. Following poisoning, long-term
sequelae often occur. Carbon monoxide can
also have severe effects on the fetus of a
pregnant woman. Symptoms of mild poisoning
include headaches and dizziness.
Carbon Monoxide poisons by entering the
lungs via the normal breathing mechanism and
displacing oxygen from the bloodstream.
Interruption of the normal supply of oxygen
puts at risk the functions of the heart,
brain and other vital functions of the body. |
| Links |
'Bhopalising'
Trinidad;
Carbon Monoxide Kills;
ILO - Carbon Monoxide |
Other
Hazardous pollutants from smelters
include:-
Benzene - highly toxic and explosive
Class 3 indicators - extremely
hazardous, carcinogenic, teratogenic,
mutagenic, highly toxic.
Castor Oil - used as a lubricant when
discharged is harmful to the
environment.
Polychlorinated biphenyls - group of
chlorinated organic compounds, soil
contaminant.
Spent potlining (SPL)- contains fluoride
and cyanide, soil contaminant.
No Smelter in T&T - Health Risks |
Home |
