Risks inherent in aluminium smelter minimal using latest technology

T PRICE, of Mill Park, in his letter “Economic benefits blind us to environmental and health hazards of smelter” (The Herald, February 13), called on all interested parties to fight against the construction of the Coega aluminium smelter in the name of ensuring a better future for “our” children.

The principle underlying the letter is a noble one worth the attention of not only the parties for whose support he is canvassing but also the investor as well as the Coega Development Corporation and the broader community.

Indeed, the challenge for humanity is managing both the development of the human economy as well as the broader biosphere or planet in ways that sustain both indefinitely.

The conclusion Price arrives at – that people should stand up against the construction of the smelter – is ill-informed, too abstract and lacks the necessary detail needed for his rather fundamentalist position.

It is a clear demonstration of ignorance because it does not deal with the specific details pertaining to the smelter before canvassing for support against it.

Not all smelters use the proposed AP35 technology, which is modern and sophisticated compared with other technologies that Price refers to.

Atmospheric pollution abatement systems have improved significantly in AP30-series technology, compared with older-technology smelters, in terms of emissions capturing and scrubbing efficiency, among other aspects.

The air quality modelling presented in the technology review report done as part of the feasibility for the Coega smelter shows that the highest potential annual average concentration of SO2 in a residential area under worst-case meteorological conditions is 6,5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³).

This is well within both the South African guidelines as well as World Health Organisation guidelines which are both 50µg/m³. The human health risk assessment in the technology review report concluded that chronic adverse effects of SO2 on human health (including infants and the elderly) were not likely to occur.

Another independent report that deals with atmospheric modelling and a human health risk assessment concludes that human health in nearby areas is unlikely to be adversely affected by the Coega smelter.

The risk of cancer from the smelter – which Price says is high – is normally due to a PAH (benzo(a) pyrene) which was also modelled during the technology review. Despite assuming an extreme worst-case exposure scenario, the cancer risks for benzo(a) pyrene was found to be well below acceptable risk levels.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the smelter are relatively small and would contribute about 0,5 per cent to South Africa‘s total emissions. The Alcan AP30-series technologies are recognised worldwide for their performance in this area.

AP30-series greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) are half of current aluminium industry performance standards.

The combination of advanced technology and operational efficiency has made AP30-series smelters the best in the industry with respect to greenhouse gas emissions.

The WHO has concluded in an assessment of potential links between aluminium and human health that “no information is available associating aluminium exposures with adverse reproductive effects”.

The European community evaluated more than 553 substances with regard to their potential endocrine impacts.

For aluminium, the conclusion was that “aluminium substances are deemed not to be endocrine disruptors on the basis of available information”.

Fluoride is a common substance in the earth‘s crust and occurs naturally in nature.

With the implementation of the proposed mitigation measures, negative impacts associated with fluoride from the smelter can be managed to be of low significance.

All due processes pertaining to the environmental impact of the planned smelter have been followed. A record of decision is available for public scrutiny on the CDC‘s website.

The investor, Alcan, is globally renowned for sustainability, and they will use environmentally friendly technology.

Careful consideration of the environment, encompassing the economic, social and biophysical, is given when considering a project for the Coega IDZ. The CDC is deeply committed to the sustainable development of the Coega IDZ.

Price can rest assured that the CDC, the department of economic affairs, environment and tourism, the business community and the broader community have not been blinded by the economic benefits of the smelter.

Both the economic benefits and the environmental impact assessment give a green light to the smelter.

Themba Koza, executive manager: safety, health, environment and quality, Coega Development Corporation