Indicator 2.14 - Air Quality

This indicator applies to Alcoa Fjardaál only.

Air quality is an important human health issue.

Local residents were concerned that the smelter would adversely affect the local air quality and detract from the quality of life in Reydarfjordur. Emissions from the smelter have a direct effect on the air quality in East Iceland - and this indicator monitors any changes in air quality in the area.

Performance

a. Air emissions, sulphur dioxide (SO₂), fluoride (F), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emissions (in kg) per ton of aluminium produced.

*Figures for 2007 represent the total amount, but not the amount per produced ton of aluminum, because the smelter had not yet reached full production.

Updated 31 March 2012.

b. Concentrations of SO2, F, and PAH at established monitoring stations in Reydarfjördur (μg/m3):

	Value in μg/m3:	Values in tables are given in  μg/m3.
	Airborne particles (svifryk) Station (Stöð) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Please note that the comma in Icelandic (in the table) replaces the period in English.
	Sulphur Dioxide SO2 (Brennisteinstvíoxíð) in air. Station (Stöð) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Please note that the comma in Icelandic (in the table) replaces the period in English.
	PAH-16 in airborn particle filters Station (Stöð) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Please note that the comma in Icelandic (in the table) replaces the period in English.
	Fluoride in air (Flúor í lofti). Station (Stöð) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Please note that the comma in Icelandic (in the table) replaces the period in English.

Updated 31 March 2012.

Metrics, Targets and Monitoring Protocol

1. Particulate matter, sulphur dioxide (SO₂), fluoride (F), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emissions (in kg) per ton of aluminium produced. (Project effect: direct).

2. Concentrations of particulate matter, SO₂, F, and PAH at established monitoring stations in Reydarfjordur (µg/m³). (Project effect: indirect).

a. Need to re-evaluate all air emissions targets when new EIA is completed

     1. Dust (according to EOP): 

1. 1. Annual average pothouse ventilation, 1 kg/metric ton Al produced.
   2. Monthly average pothouse ventilation: 1.3 kg/metric ton Al produced
   3. Exhaust dust from point sources other than pothouse: <50 mg/Nm³
   
   

       2. Total Fluoride:

1. 1. Annually pothouse exhaust: 0.25 kg/ metric ton Al produced 
   2. Monthly average for pothouse exhaust 0.8 kg/metric ton Al produced

       3. PAH (EIA Comparison Report, 2002; Earth Tech, 2003): 0.01 kg/metric ton Al produced
       4. SO₂ (EOP): To be determined after completion of EIA

b. Need to re-evaluate all air emissions targets when new EIA is completed

1. Dust: < 50mg/Nm3 (EOP)
2. SO₂: Yearly average concentration < 20 µg/m3 (EOP) 
3. Gaseous F: average 0.3 mg/m3 from 1 April to 30 September each year. Possibly 0.2 mg/m3 after 48 months of operation (EOP).

Monitoring Protocol

a. Continuous emissions monitor for one stack at each scrubber. Monitoring devices will record emissions from:

• Pothouse stack, after scrubbing
• Pot room ventilation air
• Point sources
• Stack dust samples collected randomly
• Information will be collected with an annual "significant measurement" (EOL)
• Airborn fluoride: continuous
• Fluoride in dust, PAH: individual sampling to follow up on annual measurements
• SO₂: combination
  

b. Ambient air monitors, and precipitation monitor for both rain and snow.

• Information will be collected with an annual "significant measurement" (EOL)
• Measurements of SO₂ and gaseous fluoride performed continuously, weekly for dust.
  

Rationale for Indicator Selection

Air quality is an important human health issue.

Local residents are concerned that the smelter will adversely affect the local air quality and detract from the quality of life in Reydarfjordur.

The sustainability of the local communities is, in part, dependent on desirable living conditions and the quality of the local environment. Emissions from the smelter will have a direct effect on the air quality in East Iceland.