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Yesterday in class we looked at the properties of fluoride compounds – thier appearance, properties, uses, natural, diffuse and point sources, sinks and human and environmental health effects. The National Pollutant Inventory gives fluoride compounds a total hazard score of 3.3 and a ranking of 31 for their effect on human and environmental health.

As the aluminium industry is one of the major users of fluoride for production and therefor both a point and diffuse source of this pollutant, we will be using Portland Aluminium “Smelter in the Park” in our case study of this pollutant. Fluoride has also recently been added to Warrnambool’s water supply, amid much community concern and controversy. The Alcoa site has some good information about the production of aluminium, including student notes as a pdf file.

student-notes-aluminium-production

portland-aluminium-eip

Thier 2003/04 Environmental Improvement Plan may also be useful, although more recent data should be quoted in your report. They have published a 2008 Sustainability report on-line, which may also be useful.