9781422279434

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Aluminum

squeeze. Notice how the metal feels firm in your hands. Next, grab it by the middle and squeeze it lightly until it flexes. See how easily the metal bends? You’ve just discovered two of the other amazing prop- erties of aluminum—strength and flexibility. While aluminum’s role in our biology is limited, there is a measur- able amount of aluminum in your organs at this moment. In the lab, aluminum can trigger some awesome chemical reactions, if you’re prepared with the right materials and safety gear. Someday, an alumi- num reaction might be part of a hydrogen car. These and other stories form part of the fascinating history of aluminum. However, to keep this production ongoing, we must be re- sponsible with our efforts. While aluminum can be of great benefit, as with other metals, there are costs involved in its production. The financial cost of aluminum production tumbled rapidly after its dis- covery, but it still remains an energy-intensive process. Using those large amounts of energy has both financial and environmental im- pacts. Aluminum production also results in by-products that must be properly disposed of to prevent environmental damage. We can all play an important role in reducing the environmental and financial costs of aluminum production through one simple step: recycling.

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