OTHER NEWS - Jan. 8, 1992

Alcoa to Take Big 4th-Quarter Charge: Aluminum Co. of America said it will take a $217-million after-tax charge against fourth-quarter earnings, mainly to cover environmental costs at several plants. An Alcoa spokesman declined to comment on whether the charge will keep Alcoa from posting a profit for the quarter. Environmental costs will account for $160 million of the fourth-quarter charge, which amounts to $2.55 a share overall. The largest provision covers a smelting and fabricating plant in Massena, N.Y., Alcoa said. That gives Alcoa a total environmental reserve of about $500 million, which will be spent over the next 10 years.