Chemical Safety Project News

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Asheville , NC – Pulp and paper mills that use chlorine or chlorine dioxide to whiten paper needlessly endanger more than 5.7 million people, according to a new report released today by NCPIRG.

The report, Pulp Fiction, identified 74 pulp and paper mills that endanger more than 5.7 million people by using chlorine or chlorine dioxide to bleach paper. If released, these two hazardous substances have the potential to kill or seriously injure even at relatively low concentrations.

In Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Paper Products plant in Haywood County is of serious concern. The plant poses a serious risk of injury or death to 260,363 local residents from an accidental or deliberate chemical release.

“We’ve moved chlorine gas, a chemical weapon, off the battlefield and into our communities,” said NCPIRG advocate Rob Thompson. “Fortunately, there are safer technologies available that pulp and paper mills can use to replace the extremely hazardous chemicals used to whiten paper.”

According to NCPIRG’s research, bleaching technologies that do not use chlorine or chlorine dioxide are widely available. For example, the totally chlorine-free (TCF) technology whitens paper by using safer substances such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone instead of chlorine. These safer technologies can eliminate or significantly reduce the consequences of a chemical release.

Accidents at chemical facilities have long threatened communities and workers. The realization that a terrorist could use an industrial facility as a make-shift chemical weapon has amplified concerns about extremely hazardous chemicals like chlorine and chlorine dioxide.

Based on these concerns, the National Research Council recently identified safer technologies as the most desirable solution to address chemical plant security. The Council stated that the most effective way to prevent chemical releases is to eliminate the hazard where possible.

“Today’s report demonstrates that safer technologies are a reality,” said Thompson. “Some facilities have already reduced chemical hazards by switching to safer technologies, but many others are continuing with business as usual. To truly make our communities safe, chemical facilities must adopt safer technologies.”

Last summer, the House Homeland Security Committee passed a chemical security bill that incorporated safer technologies, but this bill was never brought to the House floor for a vote. Comparable legislation will likely be introduced again this year.

“We call on Representative Shuler to ensure that safer technologies are a part of any serious chemical security proposal.”

State Data

Table 1. Pulp and Paper Mills by State and Population at Risk in Each State in Event of Worst-Case Release of Chlorine or Chlorine Dioxide

* Note: these are only the pulp and paper mills that still use chlorine and chlorine dioxide.

Table 2. Pulp and Paper Mills Endangering the Most People in Event of Worst-Case Release of Chlorine or Chlorine Dioxide