 |
||
       |
||
     |
||
Fluoride |
||
| Glacier National Park is 6 miles downwind from Columbia Falls Aluminum
Co. (CFAC). Therefore, gaseous and particulate fluoride emissions (byproducts of
aluminum reduction) have been of major concern to the park and surrounding
areas. Animals and plants that accumulate significant levels of fluoride
may exhibit tissue death, inhibited growth or greater susceptibility
to disease or insects.
|
||
 Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. In the background, six air miles away, is part of Glacier National Park |
||
 History |
The Anaconda Aluminum Co. reduction plant in Columbia Falls, Montana began operations in 1955. By 1957, foliage injury to trees near the aluminum plant was alleged to be due to fluoride emissions from the reduction process. From 1965-1969, increased emissions of fluoride followed industrial expansion. Visible injury to flora and fauna was detected in the southwestern part of Glacier National Park which is the area with the closest proximity to the aluminum plant. |
|
 Fluoride damage on pine needles |
||
|
Glacier National Park began monitoring fluorides in the park in 1970. Monitoring indicated that high levels of ambient fluoride occurred in the park and accumulated in plants, animals and soil above normal levels. Damage to plants was documented in 1971 and still detected in 1978. ARCO bought Anaconda Aluminum Co. in 1977. A suit was filed in 1978 by the U.S. Justice Department on behalf of Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park, relating to alleged fluoride damage on public lands. In June of 1980 the suit was settled with ARCO paying $75,000 to the United States Forest Service. A significant reduction of fluoride levels was detected after the installation, in 1980, of a scrubber system at the plant. Monitoring by Glacier and aluminum company personnel from 1980 to the present show fluoride levels within Glacier National Park to be significantly reduced. ARCO sold the aluminum plant to Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. in 1985.
|
||
 before pollution control technology |
 after pollution control technology |
|
| Current Program |  Columbia
Falls Aluminum Co. and Glacier National Park cooperatively monitor ambient
air surveys of fluoride on a daily basis at Glacier using a sodium bicarbonate
tube sampler(pictured at right). CFAC and GLAC also cooperatively collect forage and vegetation samples for analyzing fluoride deposition on plants. From May through September, samples of conifers, forbs and grass are collected at designated sites. After drying, the samples are sent to a contract laboratory and analyzed for fluoride on a dry weight basis.
CFAC monitors their plant stack emissions as well and presents yearly reports to Glacier. The State standard for stack emissions is 2.4 lbs. fluoride per ton aluminum produced (weekly average). CFAC’s historical fluoride stack emissions are included in the chart. |
|
 |
||
CFAC shut down its operations for the first time in 45 years, in late January, 2001 due to the cost of aluminum production. The company restarted production operations in April, 2002. Fluoride monitoring continued during the shut down period for comparison data. Only one potline is currently in operation. For more information, view the Plant Profile at the CFAC website at: www.cfaluminum.com/ |
||
 Top
of PageAir
Quality Monitoring IntroductionWebsite
Visitor Center |
||
