Pollution from a primary aluminum smelter for environmental law class Research Paper

Pollution from a primary aluminum smelter for environmental law class - Research Paper Example This paper will evaluate the range of water pollution caused by aluminum smelting and its aftereffects on public health and the environment as a whole. It has been identified that mainly three types of water discharges are associated with aluminium smelting. Process water is the liquid effluent which is mainly used for cooling dung metal casting; it contains small quantities of organic matter, fluorides, oils, suspended solids, and industrial gases. This process also discharges waste water from restrooms and laboratory facilities, and the discharged water contains organic matter and suspended solids. During the aluminium smelting process, drainage water is also discharged. It is estimated that the â€Å"Portland aluminium smelter discharges 73 ML of process water each year† (Salzman, Allinson, Stagnitti, Coates & Hill, 2001). In modern days, an effective system called water treatment center is established in most of the aluminum smelting plants where the water effluents are ac cumulated and eliminated. However, the water treatment center would not be able to eliminate these water pollutants completely. Adams (2011) points out that excess level of fluorine content in water may lead to dental fluorosis. Similarly, aluminum is very toxic to fish and aquatic insects if its concentration exceeds the limit 1 mg/L.