HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF FUTURE ALUMINUM AIR BATTERY-POWERED ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Aluminum could serve as a fuel source for vehicles using an innovative aluminum-air battery. This paper includes analyses of the major health and environmental consequences of operating a fleet of 10 million vehicles using such a transportation fuel. The principal environmental wastes associated with such a scenario are from the production of aluminum and the generation of electricity from a mix of energy sources. The primary contaminants of concern in the fuel cycle supporting the operation of the vehicles are fluoride, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. However, control technologies can reduce these emissions to safe levels. Occupational exposures to gases in potrooms of aluminum reduction plants are also identified as a potential problem. Finally, operation of the vehicles could expose occupants to sodium hydroxide, a battery reagent, in the event of an accident.