Report On Toxic Paper Mills

Seventy-four paper mills across the nation, including two in Wisconsin, store 4 million pounds of deadly chlorine and chlorine dioxide gas. According to the plants’ own filings with the EPA 5.7 million people could be put at risk by industrial accidents at these facilities.

This was among the alarming findings of our recent report: “Pulp Fiction: Chemical Hazard Reduction at Pulp and Paper Mills.”

Our research also shows that the bleaching processes that require these deadly chemicals can be replaced by techniques which use much safer chemicals.

After the September 11 attacks, it’s even more important for us to make sure our chemical facilities are safe, and the best safeguard against accidents or attacks releasing deadly chemicals is making sure that the chemicals aren’t there in the first place.

That’s why WISPIRG is calling for a national chemical policy which would require facilities to evaluate the availability of safer technologies to replace hazardous processes and chemicals and allow states and municipalities to enact stricter rules to address specific needs.

» Read the report "Pulp Fiction" by clicking here.