A Release from the other Side (published in T&T Guardian 17th September, 2009)

Alutrint official: "Aluminium smelters no cause of cancer"
by Dixie Ann Dixon

Acting chief executive officer of Alutrint Phillip Julien says it is a myth that aluminium smelters can cause cancer. Julien made the statement at the launch of the brochure entitled the Aluminium Industry in T&T, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.

“The issue of human health in regards to aluminium smelter all around the world has never been an issue...The greatest myth out there is the issue of cancer,” he said. He added that there had never been any reported cases of incidences of cancer.

Julien noted that the recent report of cancer and other health issues arising from a smelter plant in China was due to lead smelting and not aluminium smelting. He said the whole issue of cancer arose in certain areas of the workplace (aluminium plant) like working very closely with the anode—(part of the process in making the aluminium). Julien said the anodes were made of pitch and the pitch gave off something called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which was a potential cancer-causing agent.

Aluminium ProductsAluminium is a silvery-white, supple lightweight metal with appearances ranging from silvery to dull grey. It is a non-magnetic, non-sparking and is easily recognised by the symbol Al.The chief source of aluminium is bauxite ore which is processed by aluminium refineries into alumina. Some products made from aluminium include cellphones, aircraft, pots, roofs, CDs, power lines, cars, wheels, the lining of milk cartons and foil.

Phillip Julien is CEO of Alutrint.