The environmental management of selenium in aluminum processing

Abstract

To identify the environmental fate and exposures with respect to selenium compounds in aluminum processing, total particulates and selenium concentrations at three U.S. aluminum facilities were assessed in October 2002. Site A was a reduction facility that utilized manganese alloys containing selenium, Site B was a rolling mill facility that used manganese alloys free of selenium, and Site C was a recycling facility that received aluminum dross and scrap from both Site A and Site B. Total selenium concentrations in process materials and waste materials were measured. Simultaneously, furnace stack emissions and occupational airborne exposures were monitored at each of the three facilities. Results indicated that the major environmental management issues were selenium particulates in the stack emissions from Site A and baghouse dusts classified as hazardous due to selenium from the rotary furnaces at Site C.