An interim report from MultiConsult, the firm that has been analysing the problems with the United Silicon plant in Helguvik, has been sent to Iceland’s Environment Agency as well as to United Silicon. The report states: “Based on the results from the sampling and further analyses of the samples, we conclude that there are no harmful compounds released in concentrations and quantities that should in any way be harmful to the public near the plant.” Which should be reassuring.
However, the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), which MultiConsult recruited to carry out air pollution measurements, also detected formaldehyde and organic aldehydes, but the methods they used to analyse pollutants from the plant do not measure concentrations of these substances. Although they have now been asked to develop methods to detect these substances (which might be responsible for the odours that local residents have complained about), results will probably not be available until October, as NILA basically shuts down for the whole of July.
The report states:
As far as NILU and Multiconsult know, neither formaldehyde nor organic aldehydes are routinely tested in the emissions from similar smelters in Norway and is not regarded as a problem by the industry and the authorities. We see no indications that the potential emission of these compounds into the surroundings should be present in significant concentrations, or could cause any harmful effects. Increasedconcentrations, lasting for short periods and brought on by e.g. startups, shutdowns or other operational disturbances, could however possibly be felt as irritant in the surrounding area.
Lowana Veal 
Comments on: "Inconclusive report on United Silicon problems" (3)
Is there information on what the smell is? Formaldehyde smells quite different from say sulfur dioxide. Also Isn’t “levels not harmful to the public” another way of saying “damage levels we are willing to accept”? Are these releases at all reversible and are they cumulative over the time of operation? And if so, how long will they remain at “levels not harmful to the public”? Yes, the question is most certainly how much is being told AND how much is being overlooked entirely for convenience? But this being Iceland, I have confidence that more is being examined that would be in the States under a defunded EPA.
No, they haven’t pinpointed the reason for the smell yet. But smells aren’t usually associated with silicon metal smelters. Although I did a unit called “Chemistry of an unknown compound” when I was about 17, it appears that it’s not easy in this case. I think that formaldehyde is suspected. Yes, the odours are not always apparent and are not cumulative – it’s worse when the plant is working at reduced capacity and/or shuts down for one reason or another, which seems to have happened at least 4 times since the test start-up.
The local action group don’t want the other silicon metal plant started up and says that the locality is already subjected to sulphur pollution and pollution from the airport. But it looks like the Thorsil silicon plant will be allowed – though funding is proving difficult now.
[…] As before, NILA are most concerned about anhydrides and formaldehyde, but say it is difficult to monitor these substances. Formaldehyde is highly volatile and cannot be monitored with the equipment used in July, so the EA monitored it with different equipment in August. They detected it in the exhaust from the plant but not from the residential areas. Anhydride was then measured separately by NILA and a considerable amount was found at the plant inside the baghouse, but the actual concentration of anhydride was uncertain. Anhydride can cause temporary irritation of eyes and respiratory tract, like those that local residents have experienced. NILA recommend further testing. […]