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More examples of fluoride pollution in the US, this time involving the Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation facilities near Spokane, Washington. ==================== On September 21, 2000, it was reported that Washington's Department of Ecology has fined Kaiser Aluminum $388,000 for fluoride air emissions from its aluminum smelter in Olympia. Kaiser has two large plants in Spokane, one in Mead and one in Trentwood and is one of the region's largest employers, ever since the first plant opened in 1942. The plants in Spokane, together with the one in Tacoma, employ more than 2,200 people. Between June, 1998 and June 2000 Kaiser had been issued six environmental violation citations in Trentwood and 11 in Mead. News Release Inspectors with the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) said the problems began in August 1995 and lasted through October 1999. According to the inspectors, Kaiser had the opportunity to fix the problem years ago and could have avoided sending an average of more than 800 pounds of pollutants into the air every day during that time period. Operation changes in 1995 resulted in excess emissions of fluoride and small particulates (dust and soot) from the pot rooms where the aluminum smelting process takes place. Particulates from aluminum smelters can carry harmful chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including Benzo(a)pyrene, which is of particular concern because of its high toxicity. Additional chemicals of concern from the pot rooms include benzene, a known carcinogen, and toluene, which can cause liver, kidney and brain damage. Because of the way new equipment was installed in the pot rooms, Kaiser's ability to collect the gas from the smelting pots was compromised and excess air emissions were emitted through the pot room roof. The installation of new equipment resulted in inadequate seals that would have prevented the emissions. In addition, the pot room doors were left open for longer amounts of time, further increasing emissions. "We've seen operation and maintenance improvements starting in late 1999 that have brought pollution levels below what they were a decade ago," said Cullen Stephenson, who manages Ecology's industrial section. "However, the emission increases between late 1995 and early 1999 were simply unnecessary. "Other smelters made operations changes without increasing their air emissions," Stephenson said. "That means the Mead plant avoided the expense of careful maintenance of their facility and therefore had a competitive advantage over other companies that were doing the right thing." Operation and maintenance problems were responsible for three other penalties against Kaiser Mead over the past two years. But it was not until September 1998 that inspectors learned the plant operation changes were the likely cause of the increased air pollution. The new penalty is the 13th one issued to the facility since June 1998. Ecology learned about the causes of the air pollution when Kaiser submitted a letter to Ecology requesting an extension on the deadline to meet new federal fluoride-emission standards. The letter explained the reasons for the excess air emissions and poor operations and maintenance. Kaiser tried to make improvements at that time, but those attempts were ineffective in correcting the problems. No other action was taken to solve the problem until late last year when Kaiser increased the suction power and improved the reliability of the primary air-emission-control system. Kaiser may apply to Ecology for relief from the new penalty within 15 days, or may appeal the fine to the Pollution Control Hearings Board. Media contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, 509-456-4464 Editors and News Directors: An updated table of Kaiser penalties since 1998 is available by calling Jani Gilbert, to help provide history of air pollution non-compliance. SEE ALSO: Other penalties for fluoride emission violations: “Kaiser fined $20,000 for air quality violations at Mead” “Kaiser Aluminum fined $86,000 for violating air quality laws” The U.S. Commerce Department fined Kaiser Aluminum $210,000 for shipping potassium fluoride to Jamaica and high-strength aluminum rod to Israel without first obtaining the proper export licenses. |
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