Occupational and Environmental Health in the Aluminum Industry

A luminum, the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust (making up approximately 8%), has a multitude of uses ranging from aerospace to construction through manufacturing to food and pharmaceutical applications. The production of primary aluminum begins with the mining of raw ore and is followed by the extraction of aluminum metal through a series of long established and vertically integrated industrial processes. In this issue of the Journal, these processes and their technologies—both contemporary and innovative— are fully described. The basic chemical process produces, for every 4 to 6 kg of bauxite, approximately 2 kg of alumina and 1 kg of aluminum. Other raw materials include carbon, aluminum fluoride, cryolite, and electrical energy. The chemical, physical, biological, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards related to primary aluminum production are also characterized, in the context of both occupational and community health. Epidemiological analyses detailing known health risks are comprehensively summarized. Emerging issues of interest and study, such as environmental and community health in relation to aluminum production facilities, are also discussed. Public and consumer health considerations, focused on hypotheses about aluminum and neurocognitive impacts, are systematically reviewed and assessed.