title: The aluminum smelting process and innovative alternative technologies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The industrial aluminum production process is addressed. The purpose is to give a short but comprehensive description of the electrolysis cell technology, the raw materials used, and the health and safety relevance of the process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article is based on a study of the extensive chemical and medical literature on primary aluminum production.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At present, there are two main technological challenges for the process--to reduce energy consumption and to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. A future step may be carbon dioxide gas capture and sequestration related to the electric power generation from fossil sources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Workers' health and safety have now become an integrated part of the aluminum business. Work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable, and the ultimate goal to eliminate accidents with lost-time injuries may hopefully be approached in the future.
authors.affiliation: From the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Dr Kvande), Trondheim, Norway. Both of the authors are now retired.
authors.forename: Halvor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kvande
authors.forename: Per Arne
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Drabløs
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D000535:Aluminum / Q000009:adverse effects; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004566:Electrodes; D004572:Electrolysis / Q000379:methods*; D004573:Electrolytes; D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016272:Occupational Health; D013672:Technology
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D000535:Aluminum