Metals
Metals are chemical elements that are a natural part of the bedrock, ground and water. Of the just over 100 known chemical elements, 80 are metals and a further six so-called semimetals. Metals are a natural part of our lives and are found in masses of products and applications that we use today. In addition, many metals such as iron, zinc and copper fulfil necessary functions in all living organisms.
Read more: Metals, in Society and the Environment (pdf, 2 Mb)
Metals in steel manufacturing processes
Steel is an iron-based alloy. To obtain the right composition and properties for the steel many other metals are also used as alloying materials. This means that the steel industry handles metals such as chromium, nickel, aluminium and molybdenum.
Residues of the different metals may accompany the air or water out from the manufacturing processes. For this reason both air and water undergo different purification stages where metals, among other materials, are taken care of before anything is then discharged to water, air or ground. In certain cases metals are recycled from the dust and sludge of the filtration units.
The purification processes have been developed and are considerably improved over the last twenty years. As an example it could be mentioned that in 1990 in Sweden a total of approx. 2.25 tonnes of cadmium was released to the air. Smelting plants and steelworks accounted for the majority of these emissions. During 2007 the total emissions to air were just over 0.5 tonnes.
The major reduction in emissions is mainly due to the metallurgical industry having improved air purification. Instead, the largest source of cadmium emissions in 2007 was electricity and heating production. (Source: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)
Research collaboration
The metallurgical industry is working together with environmental researchers in order to better understand the effect of different metals on the environment and improve the grounds for decision for public authorities. Previous assessments were primarily focused on e.g. water samples, sedimentary samples and earth samples. Today it is known that the effect of metals is largely due to both their quantity and form where bioavailability is a key parameter. A fundamental difference between metals and other polluting substances and is that metals occur naturally in the different recipients and therefore cannot be ‘phased out’ completely.
Information partnership
The different sector organisations and companies within the steel and metallurgical industry collaborate in a group called MITF, Metallinformation. The purpose of this body is to spread objective information on metals and their impact on the environment, read more under MITF.
Key issues
The key issues on metals that concern the steel industry are largely connected to current legislation on water, products and chemicals. This may involve e.g. how certain metals become "prioritised substances" under the EU water legislation (Priority substances list no. 2455/2001/EC) and are thereby allocated environmental quality norms or how our input materials shall be registered under REACH. These issues are handled in more detail under the respective area (water, product-related environmental issues, chemicals).
Our standpoints
- Assessment of environmental impact of metals must take account of their bioavailability in order to be able to appreciate the quantity of metal that may be damaging for the environment.
- Environmental quality standards for metals, e.g. environmental quality norms, must be based on relevant risk assessments and take account of local conditions.
- Demands for emission cuts shall be justified by the environmental benefit that arises.
