Environment
Concern for the environment has moved beyond the littering, local air, water and noise pollution of the 70's. Concern has moved from local to regional to global issues. These continue to affect us. ISO 14000 is the main current guide to appropriate policies. This anticipates determining the present status and developing and implementing an improvement plan. Clean air and clean water is especially significant to the fabrication and finishing sectors. Overall, local issues affecting new investments are covered in South Africa by the EIA's, (Environmental Impact Assessments) such as that used for the Billiton Hillside project. The debate widened in the 80's with concerns moving to regional effects such as acid rain.
In the 90's the environmental debate has now both become global with global warming and has made an entry into world trade in the form of non-tariff barriers, issues that would concern the aluminium industry in South Africa in particular. It is significant is the fact that over 90 % of our energy is derived from coal, this emitting sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. The use of "dirty" energy could subject RSA to an energy tax. The commercial response to the recent announcement of a clean power station in Port Elizabeth dedicated to exporters illustrates the potential impact.
While the emission of fluorides was a problem which may have been all but eliminated on newer smelters, we still have the older, upgraded, Billiton Bayside Smelter. The second dioxin involved is carbon dioxide, also a global warming gas emitted by smelters. Mitigation issues related to the Kyoto protocol are under consideration. The Seattle conference in December 1999 seems likely to be the first that integrates environmental issues with economic. AFSA has drawn together industry representation in order to brief Government delegates.
On the positive side the role of aluminium recycling is well documented. This saves natural resources, reduces the need for landfill allocations and saves energy. The extension of these aspects into an energy life cycle is ongoing overseas. The benefits obtained from aluminium recycling outweigh any other engineering or packaging material recycling gains.
South Africa tends to follow the international leadership of first world countries. Consequently an ongoing review and involvement is appropriate.
Health
Two sets of health issues prevail, industrial health and public perceptions. While AFSA can give information, Industrial health is the domain for individual companies. Public perceptions are important especially concerning Alzheimer's. Whilst the industry has supported research for many years, the public stance has moved from ignoring, to reaction towards proactive positioning. The specific sectors potentially most affected are packaging, cookware and food processing equipment.
A reality is that competing commercial interests use the public perceptions and "common knowledge" as the launch pads for their products.
In 1997 AFSA asked Dr Mike Stewart, a chemical pathologist from the University of Witwatersrand Medical School to attend the Montreal Aluminium and Health conference in order to gain an understanding of the toxicology of aluminium. He has been cited as an independent reference point for the media, industry customers and the general public with health concerns.