My Adventures in Australia Blog: Alcoa
It's not surprising that Alcoa's alumina refinery was hit by a strike in 2001 by workers who were sick of being sick from working conditions.
We hear a lot about companies not protecting the environment--toxic waste left behind, toxic emissions poisoning the locals. Do we consider that some of the
locals work there?
Toxic chemicals make locals and workers sick. There are known carcinogens in the mix, nasty chemicals like alkaline dust, caustic mist, carbon disulfide,
and benzene. Science argues about how much poison it takes for poison to be poisonous, and in the meantime,people continue to get exposed, get sick, some of them dying. These chemicals have been connected to asthma, bronchitis, lymphomas, cancers.
So...how much poison IS safe?
Workers are getting sick. Workers at the Wagerup refinery, workers at the Kwinana refinery near Perth.
Don't forget, workers ARE the locals.
Sometimes this is just so much deja vu. Because, just like in the Hinkley case, documents have been found showing that Alcoa has known about the connection
between these toxins and disease--since 1990. In 2001, there were thirty or so documented illnesses resulting from this deliberate corporate carelessness.
How many are there now?
But things may be looking up. Perhaps we are a little optimistic, but we are hoping for at least a two step effort from the company. First, we are hoping that Alcoa will establish a buffer zone in Wagerup, moving residents to a safer proximity. And then, we are hoping they will reduce toxic emissions.
Currently, I am the President of the consulting firm, Brockovich Research & Consulting, where I am involved in numerous major environmental cases 
Comments
I retired from Alcoa Wagerup in 2004 after 20 years. I worked mostly in the oxalate building and have a perforated septum and would like it known that I think this was caused from breathing caustic mist.
Posted by: Frank McGinniss | September 6, 2007 6:00 AM
I moved to Yarloop with my family in 2003.we we're totally unaware of Alcoa and the ramifications of living within the vicinity of the Wagerup refinery. My family since moving to Yarloop have suffered greatly with respiratory problems, rashes, burning eyes and nose, lowered immune systems and many more symptoms making our life unbearable.we have lobbied to both Alcoa and our own government in hope they would be able to relocate our family away from this toxic town but we find that we are greatly disappointed in our government as we have not been protected as we deserve to be,and Alcoa say "they are unable to help us".The only solution for us right now is to leave town every couple of weeks for a week to ensure that my childrens health does not suffer too much but at the expense of their education. Had we of been informed of the health risks in purchasing a home in this once peaceful country town, we would not be in the situation we find ourselves in today.
Posted by: Kylie J | February 25, 2008 6:57 PM
I live in a beautiful part of North Queensland at Bowen. We are at present in grave danger of becoming a site, for one of the worlds largest aluminium refinery and smelter, which is owned by the Chinese Aluminium Company (Chalco)
We are on the banks of the eighth wonder of the world-the Great Barrier Reef. We are the largest vegetable growing region of Qld and the site for this refinery is on a large nationally significant wetland.Our coastline is subject to intense cyclones(22 in the last 120 yrs) This is where, all levels of Australian Government, are seriously considering establishing one of the worlds filthiest polluting industries - Do we really have to sell our souls and heritage to such incredibly destructive short-term interests?
Posted by: Maria Macdonald | April 5, 2008 9:35 PM