EAA
HEALTH
COMMUNICATIONS
Frequently asked questions
HOLDING STATEMENTS
&
KEY MESSAGES
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LAST UPDATE: APRIL 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT .................................................................................... 4
A.
HOLDING STATEMENT ............................................................................................. 4
B.
KEY MESSAGES ....................................................................................................... 4
a.
GENERIC ................................................................................................................ 4
b.
BAUXITE RESIDUES.............................................................................................. 4
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS ............................................................... 4
II.
ALUMINIUM AND HEALTH ............................................................................. 5
A.
HOLDING STATEMENT ............................................................................................. 5
B.
KEY MESSAGES ....................................................................................................... 5
a.
GENERIC ................................................................................................................ 5
b.
ALZHEIMER............................................................................................................ 5
c.
MEDICINES ............................................................................................................ 6
d.
VACCINES .............................................................................................................. 6
e.
FOOD PACKAGING................................................................................................ 7
f.
COSMETICS ........................................................................................................... 7
g.
WATER TREATMENT ............................................................................................ 7
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS ............................................................... 8
III.
ALUMINIUM AND THE ENVIRONMENT ......................................................... 9
A.
HOLDING STATEMENT ............................................................................................. 9
B.
KEY MESSAGES ....................................................................................................... 9
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS ..............................................................10
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I.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
A. HOLDING STATEMENT
The thoughts of the European Aluminium Association (EAA) are with the people who have been
impacted by this accident.
The European Aluminium Association (EAA), in line with its mission to foster the dissemination of best
practices, is fully committed to sharing its environmental and technical expertise to help understand
the exact causes of this situation, so that all security measures can be put in place to prevent such an
accident from ever happening again.
B. KEY MESSAGES
a.
GENERIC

Safety, Health and Environment are areas of priority for EAA and its members. They are the focus
of a number of association activities and improving performance in these areas is seen as a key
component of our industry’s responsibility and sustainability.

As a trade association, EAA tracks performance and shares best practices with its members to
help enable them to comply with all the necessary legislation and regard all matters relating to
Health, Safety, and the Environment. The maintenance of their facilities is a matter of the utmost
importance in order to secure a safe, accident free, and sustainable future.

Aluminium producing and processing companies in EAA membership have an excellent track
record of working hard on process-related safety solutions. .
b.
BAUXITE RESIDUES

Bauxite residue, commonly called “red mud”, is a by-product of alumina refining and is stored in
special facilities.

The method of disposal of bauxite residue varies across the world, depending on factors such
as land availability, technology availability, climatic & geographic conditions, logistics and
regulatory requirements. Companies are required to ensure that bauxite residue disposal areas
comply with the respective environmental standards and careful monitoring ensures structural
integrity is maintained.

Trace quantities of heavy metals can sometimes be found on the source of the original
bauxite. However, considering the low concentrations involved, acute adverse health effects from
heavy metal exposure are unlikely to occur.

The concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials such as uranium and thorium are
very low in bauxite residues and are not expected to cause any adverse health effects.
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS

EAA Q&A on the situation in Hungary post bauxite residue area failure: Click here

AIA and EAA Q&A with background information on typical bauxite residue: Click here
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II.
ALUMINIUM AND HEALTH
A. HOLDING STATEMENT
The European Aluminium Association (EAA) and its members have always been keen on protecting
the health and safety of European citizens and are supportive of independent scientific research on
aluminium and health. Up until today, all scientific evaluations produced by internationally respected
organisations found aluminium to be perfectly safe for use in the full range of its current applications.
Before taking any position on (the issue), the EAA wants to verify all the facts and base our reaction
on science only. The EAA insists that (the matter) be clarified fully in order not to leave any unfounded
suspicions the effect of aluminum on human health.
B. KEY MESSAGES
a.
GENERIC

The aluminium industry has always taken a responsible attitude towards health concerns and
aluminium.

The EAA and its members have continuously supported thorough scientific evaluations of effects
of aluminium on human health. All scientific evidence that comes from independent and
internationally respected organisations points out that aluminium does not pose any health threats
in its various applications.

Aluminium is a tried and tested product that has certain applications that are very beneficial to our
health. No other material outperforms aluminium in the conservation of aliments and it helps to
make certain medications more effective.

Aluminium compounds used in antiperspirants, antiseptic solutions and vaccines do not have any
adverse effects on health and are recognised for such use by the WHO.

The association and its members invite decision makers to base their decisions on sound scientific
evidence only.
b.
ALZHEIMER

No scientific study that has been arguing that Alzheimer’s disease could be caused by aluminium
has received widespread support.

Alzheimer’s disease is a multi-factorial disease, involving both genetic and environmental factors.
Much less known is about the environmental factors than the genetic linkages.

Scientific studies have tried to establish a link between the aluminium present in water and
Alzheimer’s disease. Results have been very different but the studies that corrected other factors
influencing the results did not establish any relationship at all.
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
The latest comprehensive report produced in 1997 by a Task Group of the International
Programme on Chemical Safety, under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the United National Environment Programme (UNEP) confirmed that “there is no evidence to
support a primary causative role of aluminium in Alzheimer’s disease and aluminium does not
induce Alzheimer’s disease pathology in vivo in any species, including humans”.

The International conference on Alzheimer and related disorders held at regular intervals by more
than a thousand specialists, has never considered aluminium to be one of the factors involved in
the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
c.
MEDICINES

The main aluminium compound used in medicine is aluminium hydroxide. This is used as an
antacid in the treatment of gastric ulcers and as a phosphate binder in cases of long-standing
renal failure.

So far, alternatives to aluminium in specific medical applications have not been as efficient and
effective as aluminium.

Indeed the use of aluminium has proved to be necessary for specific medical applications and
several scientific studies which have compared those who have been taking large amount of
aluminium hydroxide as antacids to control subject, have found no adverse effects.
d. VACCINES

Aluminium is present in some vaccines as an adjuvant in the form of aluminium hydroxide,
aluminium phosphate, or aluminium. An adjuvant is present in a vaccine to enhance the immune
response. This is needed in order to be more effective. Examples of vaccines containing an
adjuvant are the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, pertissis and hepatitis A and B. Without
adjuvant, these vaccines would not be effective.

The quantity of aluminium present in a vaccine varies between 0.3 and 1.5 mg per dose.
Considering the different vaccination a person would receive over a lifetime the maximum dose of
aluminium a person would receive would be 15 mg. It is far less than the daily dose a person will
intake through aluminium that is present in natural foods.

Aluminium injected by subcutaneous and intramuscular routes is gradually dissolved and enters
the bloodstream. It is then eliminated through the urine.
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
The European Aluminium Association strongly supports the use of safe vaccines. A thorough
investigation of alternatives is necessary. Any withdrawal of vaccines for safety reasons could
threaten vaccination worldwide and have serious impacts on humans and their health. Therefore,
before any such decisions are made, sound scientific research should be undertaken.
e.
FOOD PACKAGING

Some aluminium is ingested through the diet and this has always been the case given its natural
presence in foods. The extra intake from food cooked in aluminium or from aluminium foil and
beverage cans is almost negligible: normally it will amount for 0,1 mg a day.

Most food contains some natural aluminium. Examples of food with high aluminium contents are
tea and spices. Nearly all the daily aluminium intake comes from natural sources.

Aluminium will also be in contact with food as it is often used in the form of foils, menu trays, cans
and other utensils. It is an essential element for the protection, storage, preservation and
preparation of food. As it conducts heat very well, it is an excellent and energy-efficient product to
serve both cold and hot food.

Aluminium cans have a protective coating applied on the inside: this ensures that food and
beverages never come into contact with the metal. It also keeps out micro-organisms, air and light
and thus helps conserve and protect food.

Concerning aluminium foil wraps, only negligible amounts of aluminium get into foods in this way.

The European Aluminium Association promotes a responsible use of aluminium utensils: try to
avoid highly salty or acid foods in uncoated aluminium over a long period of time.
f.
COSMETICS

Aluminium salts are being used in certain cosmetic products such as deodorants. Their
antiperspirant effect comes from their ability to form a plug on the top of the sweat ducts.

The internet has widely diffused rumours that those aluminium salts could be involved in breast
cancers. These claims are not supported by any evidence of scientific data whatsoever.

All scientific studies endorsed by international organisations or governments on the use of
aluminium in cosmetic products have deemed that the product is absolutely safe for humans and
no link has ever been established between aluminium and cancer.
g.
WATER TREATMENT
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
Aluminium is naturally present in surface and ground water, it is also the most common metallic
component on the earth crust.

Aluminium is sometimes added to the water in treatment facilities to keep it disease and bacteria
free. Indeed, aluminium sulfate, or alum is used as a flocculating agent, meaning a substance able
to capture impurities, bacteria and viruses.

Scientific studies have tried to establish a link between the aluminium present in water and
Alzheimer’s disease. Results have been very different but the studies that corrected other factors
influencing the results did not establish any relationship at all.

Alum has become the benchmark in water treatment world-wide. It is arguably the most effective
flocculant available and is also safe to handle and cheap to produce. It is current expert opinion
that alum at conventional levels poses no risk to human health.
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS

EAA Health fact sheet: http://www.alueurope.eu/?page_id=3975
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III. ALUMINIUM AND THE ENVIRONMENT
A. HOLDING STATEMENT
The European Aluminium Association (EAA) has taken voluntary steps to ensure a high level of
transparency regarding its own environmental footprint. Reports on the sustainability of the aluminium
industry throughout the life cycle of aluminium are available on the EAA’s website.
Aluminium plays a critical role in dramatically decreasing the energy consumption of vehicles and
buildings during their use phase. In addition, aluminium can be recycled infinitely and with extremely
low energy input. These aspects must be taken into account when analysing the environmental
footprint of aluminium.
B. KEY MESSAGES
a.
Climate change

The aluminium industry has consistently reduced energy use. Because aluminium is energy
intensive, the aluminium industry constantly focuses on the efficient use of energy. The industry
has its own interests at stake in becoming more energy efficient. The efficiency of aluminium
smelters has shown a steady improvement since the 1950s, and electricity consumption has fallen
by more than a third over that period.

The aluminium industry has worked successfully to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions.
Voluntary industry initiatives and continuous technological advances have ensured that the
aluminium industry has significantly cut its emissions of greenhouse gases.

CO2 emissions have been reduced by 10% in the past ten years and PFCs emissions with
reference to the 1990 levels are reduced by more than 80% in 2005. Total GHG emissions from
European aluminium have been reduced by 45% between 1990 and 2005.
b.
Recycling

In order to further reduce its environmental footprint, the aluminium industry is committed to
increase the share of recycled aluminium and contributes to collection and sorting improvements.

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable – At the end of its life, an aluminium product is 100% recyclable.
Aluminium recycling requires up to 95% less energy than primary aluminium production.

Aluminium’s economic scrap value and ability to be recycled continuously makes the aluminium
beverage can the most recycled container in the world with an average recycling rate of 60% and
over 90% in some countries.

Globally, aluminium achieves among the highest material recycling rates, with up to 90% for
transport and construction applications.

Aluminium can be recycled over and over again without any loss of quality
c.
Light-weighting and fuel efficiency in transport
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
Aluminium can bring significant contribution to reducing the fuel consumption of vehicles thanks to
its light-weighting properties.

The total weight of a vehicle can be reduced up to one third and car bodies alone by 40%, thereby
drastically lowering CO2 emissions.

Reducing weight by using aluminium is one of the easiest and most cost effective measures to
lower emissions from vehicles.

Aluminium is increasingly the preferred material in all types of transport applications in order to
lower fuel consumption
d.
Energy efficiency in buildings

Intelligent facades incorporating aluminium systems can decrease energy consumption in
buildings by up to 50%.

The key feature of these intelligent buildings is their optimized interaction with the exterior,
markedly reducing heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting energy demands throughout the
seasons.

Aluminium plays an important role in the production of renewable energy from solar sources.
Aluminium profiles are largely used in photovoltaic systems, and are especially installed on
building roofs, where weight needs to be reduced as much as possible.
e.
Transparency

The EAA aims to be as transparent as possible regarding its own environmental footprint and has
taken voluntary steps to ensure a high level of transparency.

The EAA has published a number of reports presenting and analyzing sustainability indicators or
life cycle data for the aluminium industry.

The EAA has launched a Sustainable Construction Project and developed Environmental Product
Declarations (EPDs) for aluminium building products in line with international standards. An EPD
is the most comprehensive and transparent type of environmental labelling that takes into account
the whole product life cycle through internationally recognised indicators, such as “use of primary
energy”, “water consumption”, etc. It is verified by an independent third party.
C. LINKS TO EAA COMMUNICATION TOOLS

EAA factsheet on aluminium in the environment : click here


EAA’s sustainability report 2010 http://www.eaa.net/en/publications/sustainability-report/
EAA report on packaging and recycling
http://www.eaa.net/upl/4/default/doc/EAA_Packaging_Brochure%20Sept2008English.pdf
EAA’s Environmental profile report on Life Cycle Indicators http://www.eaa.net/en/environmenthealth-safety/lca/environmental-profile-report/
EAA’s brochure ‘Sustainability of aluminium in buildings’ http://www.eaa.net/en/environmenthealth-safety/lca/environmental-profile-report/
EAA’s activity report 2010 http://www.eaa.net/en/publications/annual-report/
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